Central Park, Bristol, proves a pull for occupiers

2.4 million sq. ft. under construction

With 117 acres sold in the last 6 months and construction shortly to commence on 2.4 million sqft of warehouse space, Paul Hobbs looks at the stories behind Central Park, Bristol’s unprecedented success

In the last five months, Delta Properties’ Central Park at Weston Approach, Avonmouth, has signed up four major deals totalling 2.4million sq ft. That’s over £200 m of construction work taking place on this 600 acre logistics hub over the next 24 months. By anyone’s standards, that’s unprecedented for a single location, not just in the South West for a logistics scheme, but throughout the UK.

Designed to be the South West’s largest distribution park, Central Park is undoubtedly the biggest speculative scheme of its kind to be brought forward over the last ten years.

Most recently, third party logistics group Davies Turner Plc have acquired 12 acres and will start construction in September for its new, bespoke 130,000 sq ft unit, for which there is already planning permission.

Delta Properties have signed up three other major transactions this year. The Range – proposed 1.2 million ft and Lidl – 600,000 sqft, join Mountpark, who with Stoford are constructing a 400,000 spec 3 unit speculative warehouse scheme, available from PC in April 2017 . These major developments join Farmfoods and CHEP UK who are already in occupation.

So what is it about Central Park that is attracting such significant employers to acquire land and build here?

Demand for swift  internet order fulfilment and the geographical growth of the discounters store networks is stretching the drive times for the established logistics hub locations of the Midlands. The South West logistics sector is finally getting the investment it needs to serve a growing but dispersed population .

Crucially at Central Park , planning permission and infrastructure is already in place, making immediate development possible. Our client, Delta Properties, has worked hard to achieve this. Located close to the motorway network, and with a new junction planned for the M49 to enter directly into Central Park, this creates the ideal location for a logistics company wanting to quickly establish a south west hub. Together with on-site rail freight facilities, and its proximity to Bristol Port, Central Park offers the perfect solution.

With 90 acres in further plots ready for immediate development, no doubt Central Park will be welcoming more occupiers in the very near future.