Panattoni delivers good news for Kent

Europe’s largest privately-owned industrial developer Panattoni has announced its first tenant for 1.9 million sq ft sustainable logistics development in Kent.

DHL will be Panattoni Park Aylesford’s first tenant after the world leading logistics company signed a 15-year lease. Panattoni has also signed heads of terms with four other occupiers for the warehousing and distribution development on the 90-acre site near junction 4 of the M20.

The new DHL facility will be at the junction of Bellingham Way and Station Road. The 110,406ft² building will meet DHL’s specific needs, including 12 dock doors for HGVs, plus level access for van access on a six-acre plot.

The location of Panattoni Park Aylesford means DHL will be able to easily relocate its staff from its nearby distribution centre and increase its services to its customers across this part of the South East.

Panattoni has submitted two reserved matters planning applications to Tonbridge & Malling Borough which will agree the fine detail of the building’s layout, access and appearance for their soon to be announced logistics and distribution tenants.

Anthony Watkins, Development Director at Panattoni, said: “When we acquired the Aylesford site we knew it would be enormously attractive to the logistics and warehousing industry.

“The response from leading players has been fantastic. The good news for our tenants, and the Kent economy, is that we are now planning for the park to be fully operational by the third quarter of 2023, which is at least a year ahead of our original schedule.”

Preparation work on site is already under way on the new DHL building, with the new £7m link road due to be completed before DHL takes occupation in July 2022.

The development, including the new DHL facility, has been designed to secure the 10% biodiversity net gain required by Government. Each building will have a supertight envelope and utilise air source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, roof lighting and energy efficient building materials.

The agents for the site are CBRE, Avison Young and JLL. Information on Panattoni Park Aylesford can be found at www.Panattoni.co.uk/Aylesford.