Plans revealed for Northwest rail freight scheme

By Liza Helps Property Editor Logistics Matters

INTERMODAL LOGISTICS Park North totals some 500-acres and includes the 221-acre Parkside East site originally promoted by developer iSec, which Tritax acquired last year for an undisclosed sum.

Logistics Matters reported that story in October 2023 when proposals for a much smaller SRFI and associated  warehousing totalling 2.5 million ft2 were discussed. https://www.logisticsmatters.co.uk/Rail-freight-interchange-for-NorthWest

The new plans as outlined in the EIA scoping request include this site plus further land acquisitions to the east of Newton-Le-Willows. They envision a rail freight terminal serving up to 16 trains per day, including ancillary development as well as 7.4 million ft2 of warehousing with a total footprint of 6 million ft2 and up to 1.4 million ft2 of mezzanine floorspace, in a mixture of rail-connected, rail served and additional units.

There would also be an overnight lorry park and a new energy centre incorporating an electricity substation connected to the local electricity distribution network and potential battery storage will be provided. 

Photovoltaics will generate energy for the Proposed Development and the warehouse building roofs will be designed to allow for the potential to install photovoltaics on up to 100% of useable roof space. 

The rail freight interchange will be connected to both the West Coast Mainline for north-south traffic, and the Chat Moss Line for east-west traffic.

This marks the second rail freight interchange project for Tritax Big Box. In Hinckley, Leicestershire, the developer is seeking to bring forward a 662-acre multi-modal freight interchange and distribution centre known as Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI). The scheme is currently going through the planning process as a NSIP with a decision due via the Planning Inspectorate in March next year.

It has been mooted that the Freightliner rail terminal at Old Trafford might be moved to ILP North freeing up the site around the Old Trafford Stadium for the development of up to 20,00 new homes. 

Savills is advising on the EIA management and co-ordination and CBRE are acting as planning consultants. Solicitor Eversheds Sutherland is advising on legals.