Panattoni hands over sustainable logistics facilities at Aylesford

Three leading companies have been handed the keys to their new buildings at Panattoni Park Aylesford, bringing a major jobs boost to Kent a step closer.

DHL, the global logistics company; Fowler Welch, the temperature-controlled logistics company; and Marley, a UK leader in the manufacture and supply of pitched roof systems to the construction market, have all move onto the 90-acre Kent site.

The site, located near Junction 4 of the M20, is owned and managed by Panattoni, the largest logistics real estate developer in the UK and Europe.

DHL’s new net zero carbon premises have achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ and an EPC rating of ‘A+’. The 110,406 sq ft facility will be part of DHL’s network of last-mile hubs serving its customers across the South East.

Fowler Welch, which will employ 200 people at its 97,891 sq ft building, has incorporated a 1.5MVA photovoltaic array covering the roof, a car park canopy and cycle shelter.

The peak electrical output from the solar panels is equal to the incoming supply, which means Fowler Welch will be able to operate fully from the power generated onsite.  The Fowler Welch facility has also achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ and an EPC rating of ‘A+’.

The third building, occupied by Marley, is a 9,945 sq ft design-and-build facility, with both it and Fowler Welch signing long term leases before construction got under way.

Marley’s premises, which were built to a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ and an EPC rating of ‘A’, will be used for storage and distribution. Marley will relocate its current operation and staff from Wrotham, six miles west of Aylesford.

Marley’s move from Wrotham was made possible following the purchase of its former home by Panattoni, which has plans to submit a planning application to redevelop it later this year

The completion of the three facilities at Panattoni Park Aylesford follows the handover in September last year of a 78,794 sq ft unit to Evri, the UK’s biggest dedicated parcel delivery company.

The early leasing success at the park gave Panattoni the confidence to begin the speculative development of the final space at the end of last year. The giant 752,823 sq ft facility has planning consent for an additional 400,000 sq ft of mezzanine space, enabling an occupier to have 1.1 million sq ft of space. It is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Alex Mitchell, Development Associate for the South East and London at Panattoni, said: “The handing over of the three buildings marks another major milestone for our Aylesford development.

“We are determined to deliver on our promise to build a logistics and distribution facility that is a benchmark for sustainability and a home for thousands of new jobs for Kent.”

Agents at Panattoni Park Aylesford are CBRE, Avison Young and JLL.