Construction begins at controversial new logistics park near Dunchurch - The Rugby Observer

Construction begins at controversial new logistics park near Dunchurch

Rugby Editorial 15th Aug, 2022   0

CONSTRUCTION has begun at a controversial new logistics park near Dunchurch.

Local dignitaries from Rugby Borough Council (RBC) joined Tritax Symmetry, main contractor Winvic and the wider project team to mark the official start of construction at Symmetry Park Rugby.

The 111-acre site, which is located on the M45/A45 strategic highway link, has outline planning permission for up to two million sq ft of employment space.

The wider South West Rugby Urban Extension will provide up to 5,000 new homes on land adjacent to Symmetry Park.




The announcement comes after Iron Mountain – a storage, data centre infrastructure, asset lifecycle management and information management services company – committed to take just under one million sq ft which will become its first UK campus to offer its range of services.

Winvic has been appointed to deliver the first two units comprising 320,682 sq ft which are due for completion next spring and will be built to net zero carbon in construction.


Joseph Skinner, associate development director at Tritax Symmetry, said: “We are pleased to have been able to push forward with the delivery of this first phase with a pre-let secured to an occupier with an excellent covenant.”

Nicola Smith, Chief Officer Growth and Investment at RBC, said: “Commencement on this site is important to the build out of the sustainable urban extension at South West Rugby and to support new jobs and opportunities in the Borough.”

RBC growth and investment spokesman Ian Picker added: “It’s great to see a start on this new strategic site at the South West Rugby development. This shows that here, at the heart of the country, we are open for business and succeeding in attracting jobs and growth as we look to the future after the challenges of recent years.”

The Iron Mountain facility will be housed in four buildings leased from Tritax Big Box on the new site. It will provide warehousing space and deliver a wide range of logistics services from a bespoke operations centre.

Phil Shepley, VP and Commercial Lead for Iron Mountain in the UK said: “We are very excited to make Rugby a new home for our operations. We expect to create an array of new job opportunities and boost the local economy.

“Available warehouse storage space is at an all-time low across the UK. Our sites offer a flexible alternative for businesses that are looking to scale quickly in line with business growth or heightened customer demand.”

The opening of the sites will be staggered across 2023.

In 2021, the Save Dunchurch Action Group submitted strong objections to the ’unacceptable’ plans for Symmetry Park, on the basis it would harm the character and appearance of the area, impact the rural landscape, increase traffic, and cause light, noise and diesel pollution.

Buy Photos

Buy photos online from the Rugby Observer newspaper.

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Rugby Observer.

Announcements

Weddings, Birthdays, Bereavements, Thank you notices, Marriages and more.

Printing

We can provide all of your printing needs at competitive rates.