180,000 sq ft of spec space for Sheffield

Peel Logistics Properties expects to complete two spec units totalling 180,000 sq ft at Bessemer Park in Sheffield in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The first phase of the development comprises two units, one of 134,000 sq ft and one of 45,000 sq ft at the site in Shepcote Lane.

PLP employed BE Design to provide due diligence work and on-going civil and structural engineering services at the site which is a former steel works.

Dian Coleman, associate director at BE Design, said: “Not only is the site on a former steelworks, it is also on the side of an historic valley along the line of Shepcote Lane, which has been infilled. This has created highly variable ground conditions across almost 50 acres – ranging from one to eight metres – which has required careful navigation.

“We also discovered that the site has a high water table, meaning that there was a natural water level close to the surface, impacting the depth at which we would be able to dig.

“To mitigate this, dynamic compaction ground improvement process techniques have been adopted in targeted areas across the site, alleviating the need to dig below the water table.

“As the development of greenbelt land becomes more and more contentious, we’re seeing an increase in brownfield sites being redeveloped. This can present more challenges but, in the long term, it’s certainly more sustainable and can provide businesses with the real potential to turn derelict land into ideally located – and profitable – space.”

PLP appointed Sheffield based construction contractor J F Finnegan to construct Phase 1. It has also received planning permission for Phase 2 of the scheme which comprises 660,000 of build to suit warehouses.

Bessemer Park is being marketed by joint agents Moriarty & Company, CBRE and Knight Frank.