Highgrove Group has announced it has received full planning approval for the development of up to 2.5 million sq. ft of new, high bay distribution/industrial accommodation at a site immediately south of the successful Follingsby Park Industrial development in Gateshead in the North East.

Site infrastructure and enabling’s works on the development – to be known as ‘Follingsby Max’ have started and expected to run for 6 months with fully serviced plots expected to be ready for development by the end of the year.

The development is situated directly off the A194(M) giving easy access to the A1(M), the A19 and north with good access to Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland and South Tyneside.   It is situated in a prime location for logistics and offers Grade A specification B2 or B8 use units in a range of sizes from 200,000 sq. ft up to 2,500,000 sq. ft.

The specification includes up to 28 metre eaves height allowing for high-bay distribution, storage uses together with 24/7 access.  It is ideally suited to support the growth of the regions key sectors, providing high quality, flexible accommodation opportunities suitable for distribution/logistics operations, manufacturers, automotive companies seeking to expand their operations.

The site sits within the North East Enterprise Zone – a key strategic business employment zone launched in April 2012 specifically to support economic growth by providing tax breaks and a range of interventions to help businesses start-up, grow and expand.

Speaking about the announcement, Cllr Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council said: “

Follingsby Park serves as the North East’s stand-out logistics and distribution park and a much sought after and successful development. The announcement by Highgrove to develop the land immediately south of the existing development is fantastic news. It will play a key part in supporting the region’s economic growth strategy and cement its reputation as the premier distribution park in the North East.

“We have supported Highgrove through the planning and preconstruction process in order to bring the site forward and enable the necessary infrastructure to begin development. We look forward to working in partnership with Highgrove to attracting potential occupiers to Follingsby Max.”

Helen Golightly – Chief Executive of the North East LEP said

“As part of our commitment to deliver more and better jobs throughout the North East, the further development of Follingsby Park and Follingsby Max offers significant job creation opportunities on one of the North East’s strategic Enterprise Zone sites”.

David Price – Operations Director of Highgrove also said

“Follingsby Max offers a key strategic location for business with exceptional transport connections.  We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Gateshead Council and the North East LEP to bring this scheme forward and the considerable development opportunities it presents. 

We are already seeing significant interest in the development from a variety of potential end-users, including online retailers, manufacturers, distribution/logistics and automotive companies and look forward to making further positive announcements soon”.

‘Follingsby Max’, sits directly adjacent to Follingsby Park – the North East’s most prominent and successful industrial/distribution park development.  It benefits from excellent access to the strategic road network, with direct access to the A194(M) providing fast connections to the A1(M), the A19 and north with good access to Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland and South Tyneside.  The scheme is ideally placed to support the region’s growth in key sectors, cementing its reputation as the premier distribution park in the North East.