Panattoni set to submit plans for Wrotham warehouse
Developer Panattoni is set to submit plans shortly for a 133,000 ft2 six unit speculative scheme on an 8-acre site near Wrotham in the South east following a public consultation which has just concluded.
By Liza Helps Property Editor Logistics Matters
THE SITE was formerly home to Marley Tiles which relocated to Panattoni Park Aylesford in a pre-let deal in 2023. As part of that deal Panattoni acquired Marley’s former facility in Wrotham on the A20, close to junction 2a of the M26.
The brownfield site set within the greenbelt will be turned into a best-in-class employment park and distribution hub with high environmental credentials that could accommodate up to six businesses supporting between 140 – 265 full time jobs.
There will be two building on the site one split into five units ranging form 8,00 – 25,000 ft2 and a stand alone unit of 50,000 ft2. Consistent with the approach adopted by Panattoni at its other sites, the proposals embrace environmental sustainability, including using energy efficient materials, biodiversity improvements, LED lighting, solar panels, heat pumps, rainwater harvesting and electric charging points for cars and bicycles. The buildings will be built to a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and have an ‘A’ Rated Energy Performance Certificate.
The development will be built speculatively to meet the needs of the local property market. In its planning statement Panattoni said: ‘We are confident that there will be a high demand for the units as the types of buildings being proposed are in short supply in Kent and the wider south east’.
Tony Watkins, Development Director at Panattoni, said: “Our redevelopment plans promise to give a new lease of life to this massively underused brownfield employment site. It is in a strategic position with easy access to the M20 and M26 and could easily support hundreds of jobs in modern, energy efficient buildings.”
The site is located in the Green Belt, 8 miles from Sevenoaks, 27 miles from London and is immediately adjacent to the Invicta Business Park. It is identified as an employment site by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council and is part of the Nepicar Area West Major Developed Site.
Once completed the site is expected to generate £750,000 a year in business rates.
