Gateway 14 has secured its first occupier, believed to be one of the largest ever in the East of England.
Gateway 14 Ltd, advised by development partner Jaynic, has submitted a reserved matters planning application for home and garden retail giant, The Range.
Their plans for a high quality, sustainable logistics unit of approx. 1.2m sq ft on the Gateway 14 scheme in Stowmarket will create an estimated 1,650 jobs in the region.
Gateway 14 already has outline planning consent for a 2.36m sq ft mixed-use innovation, business and warehousing scheme, and construction of the site infra-structure is already well underway. Development of The Range unit is planned to start in January 2023 with the building ready for occupation in autumn that year.
The landmark development will provide high-specification buildings with sustainable central features including EV charging, LED lighting, solar PV, smart energy systems and rainwater harvesting. The development is committed to meeting BREEAM rating of Very Good standard and strive for Excellent wherever possible. This new distribution facility will be designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent.
Accessibility is a key feature with integrated walking and cycling routes along with access to public transport links and local amenities.
Biodiversity on the site is also being prioritised, with high-quality landscaping, green corridors and nesting boxes being introduced across the site to support local wildlife and ecology.
Gateway 14 Ltd, wholly owned by Mid Suffolk District Council, exchanged conditional contracts with The Range in July to develop the distribution unit with its development partner Jaynic, on a freehold turnkey basis.
The Range, which is planning rapid expansion over the next five years, already has two existing major distribution centres in the UK. The new site will help meet consumer demand in the South and South East while supporting operations across the UK.
Sir Christopher Haworth, chair, Gateway 14 Ltd, commented: “Welcoming The Range to Gateway 14 is a significant step forward for the site and demonstrates its important position in Suffolk and the wider Eastern region. Gateway 14 has huge potential not only for nationally important brands like The Range, but also to support local and small businesses.”
Ben Oughton, Development Director of Jaynic, said: “We are committed to delivering a high specification building for The Range with sustainability a central feature of the project with a target delivery date of autumn 2023.”
Gateway 14 is part of the new low-tax, low-regulation zone of Freeport East. The government’s Freeports initiative allows firms to import goods and then re-export them outside normal tax and customs rules.
Businesses located at Gateway 14 will benefit from being part of Freeport East, one of only eight Freeports in the UK.
The Freeport status will provide many businesses on Gateway 14 with a range of benefits including a suite of tax reliefs and simplified customs arrangements.
George Kieffer, Acting Chairman of Freeport East, explained: “The unique location of Freeport East, close to some of the world’s major international shipping routes, provides a range of benefits to businesses which locate here. Freeport East is focused upon value-added logistics, advanced manufacturing and the clean energy sectors, and we are delighted to welcome The Range as the first of what will be many businesses to commit to the Freeport.”
Agents for the Gateway 14 scheme are Avison Young and Savills.