Leicester Warehouse Gets Green Light From Planners

Stephen George + Partners (SGP) has received planning permission for an 8,215 sqm industrial unit in Hamilton Business Park, Thurmaston, near Leicester, for developer Westmoreland Properties Ltd. The redevelopment of the 1.71 hectare site will include a new production and warehouse unit with a three storey 857 sqm office space, staff and visitor parking and service yard.

Explains Hing Ow, Associate at SGP: “Despite demand for logistics space in the area being high, the existing unit on this site has been vacant for some time, as its high volume of office space and limited haunch height of 4.5m make it impractical for modern warehouse needs. Our focus has been to design a new, modern production/warehouse space that meets the needs of the planned tenant and is flexible enough to respond to future requirements.”

SGP’s design expresses the dual warehouse and office functions through the idea of two interlocking boxes where glazed elements create a light and transparent office against the more solid warehouse, giving a clear contrast. The entire structure will be clad in similar profiled metal cladding to create a unified whole with panels of gently contrasting colours and cladding profiles to break down the facade into well-proportioned sections. The use of lighter cladding colour at high level and framings will create a more distinct sub-division along the elevation fronting Waterside Road, the main road in the estate. The introduction of a gable end on this front elevation will also create additional visual interest and articulation to the view.

The project is targeting BREEAM Good rating as a minimum and plans include extensive use of PV panels to help on-site energy generation, as well as electric car charging points and the infrastructure to add more if needed.

Concludes Hing: “This is a popular and established industrial park with good transport links in a market with high demand. But this project shows that unless the unit meets modern end user requirements, the best location is not enough to attract tenants. We have been able to design a fully optimised development with an ageless asset which will contribute to the prosperity of the area long into the future.”