February 22, 2024JOINT VENTURE ANNOUNCES SECOND PHASE AT KONECT 62 AFTER PHASE ONE COMPLETES
Joint venture partners Henderson Park and Cole Waterhouse have completed the first phase of Konect 62, which comprises c375,000 sq. ft of speculatively built logistics and industrial space in Knottingley, West Yorkshire. The announcement coincides with the submission of a planning application for phase two of the development which would bring forward a further 802,000 sq. ft of high-quality logistics and manufacturing space.
Built by McLaren Construction and designed by C4 Architects, three highly sustainable units comprising161,000, 151,000 and 61,000 sq. ft are now available to let alongside a 30-acre serviced plot, which has utilities and access in place. This plot could accommodate a number of Build-to-Suit options including “Big K” a 735,000 sq. ft unit, which has detailed planning.
The phase two planning application proposes a further 802,000 sq ft of logistics and manufacturing space across units ranging in size from 4,000 to 375,000 sq. ft, utilising low carbon building design and technology and targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.
Additionally, within phase 2 there will be an electric vehicle charging station, which will be open to the public, and will form part of the new amenity area at the site entrance. This will provide versatile accommodation and a new food and beverage offer for the park and surrounding area. It will also include significant planting and seating and has been designed with flexibility, sustainability and affordability to encourage local businesses to the site.
Konect 62 has been developed on the site of Kellingley Colliery which opened in 1959 and was the last deep mine in the UK when it closed its doors in 2015. Phase 1 will be capable of accommodating over 1,500 jobs with potential for an additional 1,000 plus in Phase 2.
The delivery of the first phase with McLaren Construction resulted in 1,350 people being inducted on the site with a combined total of 138,2000 work hours employed to deliver the buildings.
Speaking about the project on behalf of the joint venture partnership, David Nuttall, managing director of Industrial & Logistics at Cole Waterhouse, commented:
“McLaren has delivered an excellent first phase at Konect 62; the three units and 30-acre plot set the tone for the remainder of the site and firmly establish Konect 62 as a genuine business location. Twelve months ago, the site was featureless, and all traces of the former mine had been cleared. The change today is dramatic, and it is now a first-rate logistics park offering a variety of exiting units and build-to suit opportunities.
“We want to capitalise on this work, hence the application for our second phase. This will transform the remainder of the site, delivering a range of units to complement phase one, providing additional linkages to the canal towpath and complete the amenity area.”
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for open to business, Cllr Derek Bastiman, said: “I am delighted to see the first phase of Konect 62 completed which will create much needed employment opportunities. The local economy has already benefitted enormously from their construction phase and we look forward to welcoming similar development to the county.
“This land now has a bright new future and will once again contribute to the economic prosperity of the Kellingley area.”
Gary Cramp, managing director of McLaren Construction Midlands and North, said: “The team and our sub-contractors have all done a great job and the build programme was delivered as planned to use predominantly local labour from the area.”
DTRE, Sixteen Real Estate and Savills are joint letting agents for Konect 62.
