Harworth submits plans for 2.8 million ft2 industrial and logistics space in Yorkshire

Property developer Harworth has submitted plans to build on 2.8 million ft2 industrial and logistics space at two sites in near Leeds, Yorkshire. 

The plans consist of up to 2 million ft2 of space at Harworth’s Gascoigne Wood site, with a further 800,000ft2  at Skelton Grange.

Gascoigne Wood is a 185-acre former colliery site in Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire. The site has an existing rail connection through the Sherburn Rail Freight Terminal, and also lies in close proximity to the A1(M) and M62.

In 2021, Network Rail began using part of the site as a logistics hub to support the Transpennine Route Upgrade Project. Harworth’s plans for the site would see the development of up to 2 million ft2 of rail-linked industrial & logistics space.

By comparison, Skelton Grange is a 50-acre site adjacent to Junction 45 of the M1, to the south-east of Leeds city centre. The site was formerly the location of the Skelton Grange Power Station and was acquired by Harworth in 2014, with remediation and enabling works commencing shortly after.

In April 2020, Harworth sold 19.5 acres of land at the site to Enfinium for the development of an Energy from Waste facility, which is currently under construction and expected to be operational in late 2023. In August 2021, further plans were approved for the development of a 99-megawatt battery storage facility on a 5.4-acre parcel on the site.

Harworth’s plans for Skelton Grange would see the development of up to 800,000ft2 of industrial & logistics space across up to five units, ranging in size from 126,000ft2 to 202,000ft2.

Along with infrastructure upgrades, the plans include a segregated cycle and pedestrian path that is proposed to connect to the Trans Pennine Trail and Sustrans Route 67, as well as tree planting, hedge planting and other ecological enhancements.

All buildings will be built to achieve a ‘minimum’ of BREEAM Very Good standard and EPC Rating A, while maximising opportunities for the buildings to be net zero carbon in construction and operation.