Retail giant to build 800,000 sq ft distribution centre at Doncaster’s Unity scheme
The joint venture partners behind Doncaster’s Unity scheme have agreed the sale of a 79-acre plot to one of the UK’s fastest growing retailers.
Waystone Hargreaves Land LLP has exchanged contracts with a national retailer to build an 800,000 sq ft regional distribution centre and training facility at the 250-hectare (618-acre), award winning, mixed-use scheme.
The new facility will be located on Unity’s Connect zone and is expected to create over 1,000 new jobs as part of the occupier’s acquisition programme, which already includes similar large-scale distribution centres in the UK.
Unity, which is located at Junction 5 of the M18 at Hatfield, is set to deliver over 2 million sq.ft of employment space, 3,100 new homes, a new marina, school, transport hub and a range of open spaces. Over the next 20 years the development is expected to inject over £900m into the local economy and create up to 7,000 jobs.
Hargreaves Land, the property and land division of Hargreaves Services plc, announced its joint venture partnership with construction and development specialist, Waystone, a CP Holdings company, in 2019.
Stuart McLoughlin, director, of Waystone Hargreaves Land LLP said: “It is fantastic to have secured this deal at such an early stage in the development, demonstrating the strength of Unity’s strategic location. The deal accounts for over 50% of currently consented land at Connect and will help unlock the remaining plots for commercial design and build opportunities.
“We will now be working in partnership with Doncaster Council to deliver the required infrastructure to the site to enable construction of the new facility.”
Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, added; “Given the uncertain times we are currently facing, this is welcome news for the local area and wider borough.
“We always said that the DN7 Hatfield Link Road we are building was far more than a new stretch of road from Junction 5 of the M18 to Waggons Way next to the former Hatfield Colliery. It is a vital piece of new infrastructure. It makes the Unity Project a reality, delivering thousands of new jobs and homes and major economic growth for Doncaster and the wider region in the coming years.
“This positive announcement will be the first of many our Business Doncaster team will be supporting the Unity team with in the future. It is just the start of the transformational Unity Project.”
Lucy Nickson, vice-chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Given the current challenges we face, this announcement is some much needed good news for Doncaster and the region. This investment, in an already exciting scheme, will create hundreds of jobs and be an important boost to the local economy.
“As a region we remain open for business. We are doing everything we can to support our economy and protect jobs and businesses. We are working hard to ensure we emerge from this difficult time as strong as possible, and that we build a prosperous future for South Yorkshire.”
