Greybelt warehouse secures go ahead

By Liza Helps Property Editor Logistics Matters

THE PROPOSALS put forward by pension fund investor Railpen in conjunction with industrial developer Wrenbridge were for a 123,784 ft2 warehouse on a site next to South Mimms Service station at Junction 23 of the M25 motorway.

The site was already recognised as suitable for development by the Council despite being in the green belt. It had been described as “one of the worst performing Green Belt sites in the borough”.

The development will see a modern Grade A industrial and logistics facility built on the site targeting BREEAM Outstanding and an EPC A+ rating. There will also be a 30% Biodiversity Net Gain. Large water features, wildflower meadows, footpaths (on and off site), and an orchard will all be established as part of the development, looking to place staff wellbeing high on the agenda.

The proposed scheme will also benefit from a 70m yard, 15m eaves and Railpen and Wrenbridge’s latest high-quality specification.  Positioned outside of the ULEZ zone, the site offers the opportunity for a last mile facility to switch to electric transport, able to service London. 

Planning officers reckoned that the site would likely be classed as ‘Grey Belt’ once reforms proposed by the new Labour government come into effect.

The Government wants councils to identify site in the green belt that could be redeveloped. These grey belt sites will have previously been built on  or otherwise be ‘poor quality’.

The plans were supported by Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and are expected to add £7.2 million GDV to the local economy provide sone 175 jobs and  generate almost £750,000 in business rates.

Councillors on the planning committee unanimously voted to approve the warehouse plans.

South Mimms will join Railpen’s existing logistics facilities in Waltham Cross and Dartford, with all three sharing the same characteristics and developed in partnership with Wrenbridge.  In addition, Railpen received consent in October 2023 for the £30m redevelopment of the Castle Estate, which forms part of the Cressex Business Park in High Wycombe.

Avison Young, Adroit and Savills acted for Railpen and Wrenbridge.