FIREM secures Wrexham logistics consent

FI Real Estate Management has won planning permission for a 150,000 sq ft warehouse, one of the first stalled applications determined following resolution of the city’s two-year phosphate challenges.

The development, on the plot known as Site 5 at Wrexham Industrial Estate, takes the developer’s total investment in Wrexham over the £160m mark.

FIREM is the largest landowner at the park, with a 2.8m sq ft portfolio.

Wrexham Council granted permission for development of the 7.5-acre site on Monday 4th September. Last week, the government announced the relaxation of development restrictions in areas with high levels of river pollution.

Building work at Site 5 is expected to start later this year and will be delivered by FIREM’s dedicated construction division, FI Construction.

In January this year, FIREM acquired a further 56 acres of land to expand its Wrexham footprint, and following the completion of its first tranche of developments, new leases were secured with logistics specialists, Gorton Brothers, and multinational furniture company, Howdens Joinery.

Tim Knowles, founder and managing director of FI Real Estate Management said: “Wrexham Council’s work with Natural Resources Wales to overcome its phosphate challenges has meant that stalled development can be brought forward to unlock the city’s potential and stimulate economic growth.

“Our team has put a great deal of work into our plans, not just for Site 5 but for our wider investment at Wrexham Industrial Estate, and we’re very pleased to be able to move forward with our ambitious plans to create exceptional space that will elevate Wrexham’s economic and employment potential.”

Sarah Atherton, MP for Wrexham, said: “Having grappled with the phosphates issue for more than two years, I am pleased that FIREM, having chosen to invest significantly in Wrexham, have become one of the first ‘stalled’ applications to be granted planning permission.

“This development, which is anticipated to support 250 jobs, will bring greater prosperity to our city. As the local MP, my responsibility is to ensure that growth for Wrexham is not stifled but achieved sympathetically with the environment, whilst mitigating the impact on local communities. This is all positive news for Wrexham.”

Plans were also recently validated for FIREM at the 62.8-acre Kingmoor regeneration site where FIREM hopes to build a £80m, 1m sq ft development of warehouse and office space for logistics and distribution.