Privately-owned industrial developer Panattoni has been granted permission to develop a 1.9 million ft2 (176,500 m2) warehouse scheme in Kent to serve London and the UK's South East.
In what will be the company’s largest UK development to date, Panattoni Park Aylesford will comprise a £180 mln (€210 mln) investment in sustainable industrial development, including infrastructure, parking, landscaping and access, plus a new £7 mln link road.
The 90-acre site, previously home to Aylesford Newsprint and close to Junction 4 of the M20, is expected to be fully developed and occupied by 2024.
Anthony Watkins, development director at Panattoni, said: 'Aylesford will be our flagship development in the UK and it offers the all-important location, combined with space, height, power, ample gas and water supply, demanded by today’s logistics industry.
'Since announcing our proposals at Panattoni Park Aylesford we have received very strong levels of interest at this stage in the project from potential tenants to take space here in Kent.'
With the outline permission secured, Panattoni can build a single unit up to 1.2 million ft2, alongside other units, with the remaining space built to suit the specific needs of the tenants, and subject to a detailed planning application.
The development has been designed to secure the 10% biodiversity net gain required by the UK government. Each building will have a supertight envelope and utilise air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, roof lighting and energy-efficient building materials.
Work is expected to get under way this spring. Panattoni said its first priority will be to deliver the new link road, which will serve the park, improve the local transport network and reduce congestion between Junctions 4 and 5 of the M20.
Tonbridge & Malling borough council approved Panattoni’s plans for the redevelopment of the site next to the River Medway, which has stood vacant since 2015.
Panattoni was advised during the planning process by Barton Willmore, transport consultants Vectos, PA Connect, and PR consultants Maxim.
The agents for the site are CBRE, Avison Young and JLL.
