Tritax Big Box Developments (TBBD) has secured an agreement for lease with parcel delivery company DPD for a new parcel distribution hub at Tritax Park Queens’ Cambridge. The 5,800m2 facility will form part of a larger logistics, advanced manufacturing and employment location serving Cambridge and the surrounding region.
With the agreement for lease in place and public consultation completed, TBBD will submit a detailed planning application to South Cambridgeshire District Council later this year for approximately 82,868m2 of mixed industrial and warehousing/logistics development across five units.
The developer said it is targeting EPC A+ and BREEAM Excellent ratings for the buildings, with plans to include additional community facilities for local residents.
Tritax Park Queens’ Cambridge spans a 123 hectares next to the A14 Bar Hill Interchange at Junction 25 of the A14, part of the UK’s strategic road network.
Tom Kennedy, associate development director at Tritax Big Box Developments, said DPD is a long-standing client, having previously developed the company’s net zero carbon in construction facility in Bicester. “We are encouraged to see such strong support from them for this proposed scheme. Greater Cambridgeshire urgently requires more space to support the region’s growth, as recognized in the council’s own evidence base, and Tritax Park Queens’ Cambridge will help cater for this demand with flexible logistics and advanced manufacturing space for a wide range of businesses,” Kennedy said.
Louise Ferguson, general manager, property, DPD, said, “We believe Tritax Park Queens’ Cambridge meets our stringent criteria – both in terms of ESG credentials and location. TBBD’s commitment to design low-carbon buildings with high green building certifications is in line with our pledge to become the UK’s most sustainable delivery service provider and we look forward to working closely with TBBD to bring this site forward.”
DPD has a Science Based Targets initiative-validated target to reach Net Zero by 2040 as part of Geopost. The company said 36% of its UK delivery van fleet is currently electric, while hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) is used for part of the year in its HGV fleet, which the company says can cut engine emissions by 83% compared with diesel.
DPD’s other decarbonization efforts include a switch to 100% renewable electricity and electrification of its company car fleet, alongside its Eco Fund, which supports biodiversity and climate resilience projects nationally and internationally.
Joe Reubin of SBH acted for DPD.
Related news, Amazon partners with MyFlexBox to expand smart locker delivery in Germany