Plans in for EQT’s Knowsley shed demolition, rebuild
EQT Exeter wants to knock down the existing 512,000 sq ft facility on Deacon Business Park off Moorgate Road North to make way for a 442,500 sq ft replacement warehouse.
EQT has lodged the plans with Knowsley Council, six months after the company requested a screening opinion on the proposals.
UMC Architects designed the scheme, which would see the demolition of the existing building at the park, located close to Junction 4 of the M57.
Proposals for the new, smaller 442,500 sq ft facility include a 414,600 sq ft warehouse area, as well as 25,300 sq ft of office space across two floors.
A 2,400 sq ft transport office and 300 sq ft gatehouse are also planned.
Outside, a breakout space would be created with games tables, picnic tables, benches, and a water feature.
Visitors would have access to 385 car parking spaces, including 20 disabled. There would also be 40 loading docks and 65 HGV bays, in addition to 60 cycle and 34 electric vehicle charging spaces.
Plans include a staff breakout area. Credit: via planning documents
Gerald Eve is the scheme’s planning consultant. Also on the project team is landscape architect Tyler Grange, transport consultant Croft, and environmental consultant E3P.
DTRE and CBRE are joint letting agents for the scheme.
Currently, the existing warehouse is mostly vacant with the remaining tenants due to leave soon.
Subject to approval, the developer is hoping to start on site next year.
Paul Chatterjee, director of development and leasing at EQT Exeter, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to bring a building of this size to the market.
“There still remains a lack of supply in the North West industrial property market and we’re seeing high occupier demand for our existing buildings across the region.”
To find out more about the plans for Deacon Business Park, search for application number 23/00215/FUL on Knowsley Council’s planning portal.
Elsewhere in Knowsley, EQT Exeter is bringing forward a 120,000 sq ft unit at Imagination, which is due to reach practical completion early next year.
