Planning Success for Proposed PLP Knowsley site

PLP has successfully secured outline planning permission for up to 800,000 sq ft of manufacturing and distribution space at Knowsley Industrial Park near Liverpool.

PLP was advised by Indigo Planning and AEW Architects, with AEW designing three illustrative layout options for the site.

Knowsley Industrial Park accommodates around 600 businesses over 900-acres of land. Occupiers could take a single unit of 800,000 sq ft, or there could be two or three units totalling 720,000 sq ft built on the plot.

The 37-acre Knowsley 800 site is the largest on the park. It has been vacant since September 2012.

Matthew Fitton, Director of Development at PLP, said:

“The outline planning consent gives PLP the ability to deliver warehousing and distribution facilities of up to 800,000 sq ft in one single unit. In addition, we will be shortly be instructing a £1.2m groundworks contract to bring the site forwards for development which will essentially create an ‘oven-ready’ land opportunity and allows us to offer the occupational market competitive timescales for the delivery of new design and build facilities. We recognise this is essential in securing occupiers and have therefore fully committed to this strategy at PLP Knowsley.”

Indigo Planning Associate Director Nick Fillingham said:

“Unanimous approval from the planning committee shows how much support there is locally for employment investment in Knowsley. The site provides excellent opportunities for large format requirements and, following completion of the enabling works contract, will be deliverable immediately. This vacant site with flexible planning permission can now plan an active role in bringing new jobs to the area.”

Steve Burne of AEW Architects added:

“We have been working with PLP at Knowsley and other sites to create a recognisable brand identity for their industrial buildings. The advanced groundworks will mean the site presents no barriers to development and is perfect sizes, including an 800,000 sq.ft single unit. AEW has vast experience in the Logistics sector and this have been strengthened further by working with PLP.”