Second phase of Tritax’s large Knowsley scheme submitted as construction begins on first
The proposed two sheds at Symmetry Park, Merseyside off Cronton Road would have a combined area of 365,540 sq ft. Meanwhile, GMI Construction Group is at work on the scheme’s first warehouse.
Ultimately, Tritax Symmetry aims to build 550,000 sq ft of industrial space on the site of the old Cronton Colliery, which closed in 1984.
On site with the first phase
The first phase of work at Symmetry Park, Merseyside received planning permission last year.
Phase one, which includes 160,000 sq ft of storage and distribution space, service yards, parking and a gatehouse, is scheduled to complete in the first quarter of 2023.
Gerald Eve and Cushman & Wakefield are joint letting agents for the scheme.
Tritax has confirmed unit one will be built to net zero carbon in construction and will aim to achieve BREEAM Excellent.
Marc Banks, divisional director at GMI Construction said: “Symmetry Park, Merseyside is a first-class, highly sustainable development. We have forged an excellent working relationship with Tritax Symmetry, delivering schemes in Goole and Ma6nitude in Middlewich for the company.”
Plans in for second phase
The submitted plans are focused on units two and three of the masterplan.
If the two proposed warehouses are approved, they will be built on 34-acres of the site, which is located east of junction 6 of the M62. Unit two would be 152,212 sq ft and unit three would be 213,330 sq ft.
Remnants of the former Cronton Colliery, including engineered plateaus and mining waste, can currently be found on site. The site also has agricultural fields, areas of woodland, surface water features and designated local wildlife sites.
Each warehouse would be accessed from the proposed spine road, which is also expected to be constructed under phase one of the plans. Each unit would have its own T-Junction to allow access to the individual plots. The site would also include cycle and pedestrian routes that would connect back to original frameworks.
Originally, Tritax had sought permission to build 1m sq ft of industrial space on the site, however, the company has now scaled back those plans, based on what the developer felt was most in line with occupier demand.
David Nuttall, development director at Tritax Symmetry, explained why the application has been made.
“In commencing construction, we identified strong occupier interest for the outline area and subsequently took the decision to submit this new application to meet the demand and maintain the momentum at Symmetry Park,” he said.
“The collaborative way in which the local authority and combined authority has worked has been instrumental in getting the scheme live, which will have a positive regenerative impact in Knowsley.”
The architect is UMC Architects, and the planning consultant is Gerald Eve. The project team also includes Cushman & Wakefield, Tier Consulting and C4 Projects.
The project forms part of the Halsnead Garden Village Urban Extension near Whiston, which is part of Knowsley’s 1,600-home Halsnead Garden Village masterplan.
If you want to find out more about this planning application, the reference number is 22/00162/REM.
