Severn Trent has revived a £375m rail freight sheds scheme shelved in the teeth of the recession.
Goodman and Shepherd Group has been selected by Severn Trent subsidiary Etwall Land as development partners for a 5m sq ft scheme on a 620-acre site between Etwall and Eggington.
Severn Trent originally mooted plans for the site in 2008, but they were mothballed because of bad economic conditions.
The new partnership will jointly fund the new scheme, which could create 6,000 jobs.
Goodman UK Logistics managing director Charles Crossland said: “From an economic viewpoint, the new strategic rail freight hub will act as a stimulus to attract further investment into the area and enhance the region’s reputation as a key business location.”
An application will soon be made to the Planning Inspectorate to have the scheme classed as a nationally significant infrastructure project. This would mean it would be determined by central government rather than the local authority, South Derbyshire district council.
The original plans attracted opposition from a group called ROAR (Residents Organisation Against Railhead).
Goodman said it would begin a public consultation about its scheme immediately, before submitting the application.
Mark Perkins, chief executive of Shepherd Group’s built environment division, added: “This is a wonderful opportunity to transform sustainable transport links for the region for the benefit of existing businesses while also encouraging inward investment and creating jobs for the local community.”
The number of rail-connected sheds schemes being developed in the UK is steadily on the rise in line with the government’s aim to push road freight onto the railways.
About 20 miles from Etwall, Roxhill has plans for a 6m sq ft scheme near East Midlands Airport, and within 60 miles, Prologis is working on the 7.6m sq ft third phase of the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal.
A Freight Transport Association report found the UK’s supermarket chains had saved the equivalent of 140,000 HGV journeys over the past year by shifting freight to the railways.
nick.whitten@estatesgazette.com
