Demo, rebuild planned for 417,000 sq ft Knowsley shed 

EQT Exeter wants to knock down Deacon Business Park on Moorgate Road North and build a modern replacement on the same site. 

Under plans lodged with Knowsley Council, the existing 500,000 sq ft building on the 22-acre site would be knocked down. 

EQT Exeter wants to build a 417,000 sq ft modern replacement warehouse on the plot, located close to Junction 4 of the M57. 

As well the warehouse, which would feature 40 loading bays, the plans include 25,000 sq ft of ancillary office space. 

A “significant proportion” of the building is vacant and remaining tenants have a “relatively short period remaining before they too will vacate”, according to a planning statement by Gerald Eve. 

“The existing site is considered to perform significantly below its market potential and is in need of significant upgrade by way of redevelopment to attract new occupiers”, the document states. 

“We have commenced the planning process at Deacon Business Park in Knowsley with a view to submitting a full detailed planning application in early 2023 for a new, state-of-the-art, 460,000 sq ft facility,” said Paul Chatterjee, director of development and leasing at EQT Exeter.

“Subject to a positive outcome at planning we will look to start work on site in 2024.” 

UMC Architects is leading on design.