New Leicester industrial unit improves biodiversity

Stephen George + Partners (SGP) is pleased to announce the start on site of a new 1,950 sqm warehouse and production unit on an underused plot within the popular Meridian Business Park, a Key Employment Site on the outskirts of Leicester. In addition to creating much needed warehouse and production space, the development includes an ancillary office, parking and service access as well as outdoor amenity space for staff and an enhanced wildlife corridor which will deliver a biodiversity net gain to the site.

Says Juma Chipeta, Associate at SGP: “The site is a challenging wedge shape, and we needed to allocate space for the green corridor enhancements, adding trees and soft landscaping. We collaborated closely with our client Henry Davidson Developments, considering various built forms before delivering a simple, single unit with vehicle access from the existing highway access.”

SGP’s design utilises high calibre institutional standards and seeks to achieve a high building sustainability performance, targeting an EPC A rating. Profiled horizontal cladding is incorporated to create interest and relief to the facades, banded in shades of grey, from dark at the base to light at the roof, to gradually ‘dematerialise’ the structure, making it significantly less imposing. With a haunch height of 8m, the building will be capable of accommodating further mezzanine floorspace should expansion be required in future.

Merdian Business Park is a popular industrial park, ideally located from both a transport and employment perspective, being close by the M1 and with good public transport connections to local centres of population.