Tritax Symmetry has secured planning consent for a 1m sq ft employment park at Symmetry Park in Knowsley, Merseyside.
The hybrid application included detailed planning consent for a new 160,000 sq ft logistics facility, along with outline planning for up to 835,600 sq ft of storage and distribution space and offices.
It also included the formation of a country park, drainage attenuation ponds and pedestrian/cycle routes.
The full details of the country park element are being considered under a separate planning application submitted by the Land Restoration Trust. It is anticipated that the employment development and country park will be built at the same time, with development starting later this year.
Symmetry Park Merseyside is predicted to create 1,035 direct temporary jobs during construction and around 1,000 additional jobs in the Liverpool city region. It is anticipated to generate around £51m of net additional GVA per annum.
Matt Claxton, planning director at Tritax Symmetry, said the firm will appoint a contractor in the coming weeks and will look to build the first unit speculatively. He also said the buildings will be delivered to net zero carbon.
Claxton said: “Symmetry Park, Merseyside is one of the very few sites in the North West which will be available to accommodate this scale of development and, with demand at record levels, we are receiving strong occupier interest.”
Tony Brennan, Knowsley Council cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said: “Supply chain infrastructure is vital to the economy as a whole and this development will be of benefit to everyone across the borough.”
The project team includes Gerald Eve on planning, UMC Architects, Tier Consulting, The Environmental Partnership and Tyler Grange.
Tritax Symmetry is the dedicated logistics developer of Tritax Big Box REIT.
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