Planning submitted for phase two of Liberty Park, Lichfield

Plans have been put forward to Lichfield District Council for the final plot of land at Liberty Park, Lichfield.

Stoford and leading European owner and manager of logistics real estate Logicor propose to develop either a single 283,000 sq ft industrial logistics building or two separate units of 80,000 sq ft and 150,000 sq ft. Both options will target BREEAM ‘excellent’ and an EPC rating of ‘A’, as well as net carbon zero in operation, and will include integral office space and parking.

Stoford has been appointed development manager for the scheme, further extending its association with the 32-acre site, which dates back more than two decades.

If the planning application is approved, work could start on site as early as Q2 2023.

Phase one of Liberty Park, Lichfield was developed in 2019, with two industrial/logistics units of 115,000 sq ft and 48,000 sq ft developed on the northern part of the scheme, both of which are now fully operational. Avison Young and CBRE are retained as letting agents at Liberty Park.

We are delighted to bring forward proposals for the final phase of Liberty Park, Lichfield. The park is based in the heart of the Midlands, with excellent transport links and has generated significant interest from occupiers. We have put forward two options for the development of the remaining land, which reflect current market demand.

Edward Peel, Director, Stoford

Sandvik Coromant moves into new UK headquarters in Halesowen

For more information, visit: www.libertyparklichfield.co.uk

Swedish engineering company Sandvik Coromant has taken receipt of a new purpose-built headquarters in the West Midlands.

Stoford has completed work on the first phase of the 18,015 sq ft building on the A456 Manor Way in Halesowen, which will become a high-tech innovation centre for metal cutting.

The scheme benefits from strong sustainability credentials, including BREEAM ‘excellent’ and an EPC ‘A’ rating, with features including photovoltaic roof panels and rainwater harvesting.

It replaces a redundant warehouse building with office accommodation that is in the process of being demolished as part of the second phase of development, which will deliver new car parking and EV charging points.

The development has been part funded through a £5 million commercial loan by West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and secures Sandvik’s future at the site, where it has been based since 1958.

This is a modern and energy-efficient headquarters building, which has transformed the site and retained many high quality jobs in the West Midlands. We are pleased to have worked in partnership with Sandvik Coromant to deliver the scheme and look forward to completing the final phase of works.

Angus Huntley, Director, Stoford

Stairlift specialist chooses Stoford for new Andover site

Stoford has been appointed to deliver the new Andover premises of international stairlift company and lift services’ manufacturer Stannah.

A new 90,000 sq ft factory is being developed at Andover Business Park in Hampshire, which will streamline Stannah’s production process and bring some of its supply chain in-house.

Comprising more than 23,500 sq ft of solar panels, the sustainable development will save about of 203 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

Stoford has appointed Benniman as contractor and anticipates completing the new building in summer 2023.

New state-of-the-art £100m storage centre for Pets at Home

Stoford has completed construction of a purpose-built warehouse unit in Staffordshire, on behalf of the UK’s leading pet care business, Pets at Home. The new state-of-the-art national storage and distribution centre is part of the first phase of development on a 70-acre site at Stafford North Business Park, close to junction 14 of the M6. One of the largest single-let transactions in 2022, it delivers a gross internal floor area of 670,000 sq ft, with an additional 100,000 sq ft of expansion land available, if required. There is also a nature walk and dog walking areas on the site for use by staff and local residents.

The BREEAM ‘excellent’ facility was forward funded by Tesco Pension Fund and is expected to employ more than 800 people when it opens in Q1 2023.

It benefits from an additional £9 million investment in the local road and utilities infrastructure, including a new roundabout on the A34 at Redhill, north of Stafford.

Stafford North Business Park has potential future capacity for a further 1.5m sq ft of space.

This is a highly specified and sustainable national distribution facility, with a first-class design that will enable Pets at Home to better serve its customers across the UK.

The significant investment that has been made in the infrastructure at Stafford North Business Park will also allow us to develop the location into one of the region’s leading employment sites, creating and sustaining local jobs in Staffordshire.

Tony Nash, Director, Stoford

We have been working with Stannah for a few years to assist with plans for a new facility at Andover Business Park. We are delighted to have been appointed and have already made a good start on the works.

The development will be sited in a prominent position at the front of Andover Business Park and promises to deliver substantial operating efficiencies and environmental benefits. Stannah’s investment in the new building demonstrates its commitment both to the local area and to UK manufacturing.

Edward Peel, Director, Stoford