Peel buys Merseyside shed site
Peel Group has paid around £7m for the 45-acre former Sonae chipboard factory site in Knowsley, where it plans to build a 700,000 sq ft shed under the new Peel Logistics marketing umbrella.
Sonae decided to close the chipboard factory in 2012 following years of health and safety and planning problems. Three workers died at the factory in two separate incidents in 2010 and 2011. The plant also attracted criticism from residents who complained about poor air quality.
The site is eight miles from the Port of Liverpool, operated by Peel Ports, a joint venture between Peel and German investor RREEF.
The new shed will be called Knowsley 700.
Peel Logistics is a marketing branded shared by Peel Group, Peel Ports and Harworth Estates which together have 6,000 acres that could accommodate 60m sq ft of sheds.
Lambert Smith Hampton represented Peel; JLL acted for Sonae Industria.
Anyone remember how much NWDA cash went in to attract Sonae to set up circa 1998?
By ChesneyT