Parcel delivery firm DPD has pre-let a 65,000 sq ft distribution unit at Richardson Barberry’s £100m Forrest Park scheme at Newton Aycliffe in Durham.
DPD has signed a 25-year lease on the unit, which will be built on an eight-acre site next to junction 59 of the A1(M).
Richardson Barberry has secured detailed planning consent for the 830,500 sq ft first phase of development at the 116-acre site and hopes to make a start on the DPD unit in Q1 2025.
Forrest Park (Newton Aycliffe) Ltd – a joint venture between Durham County Council and local landowners the Forrest family – signed a development agreement with Richardson Barberry, which will see up to 1.8m sq ft of industrial space delivered at the park over the next 10 years.
Jon Robinson, development director for Barberry, said: “This is a major pre-let to DPD, an internationally recognised occupier, which demonstrates the quality of our proposed development at Forrest Park, its connectivity and proximity to the motorway junction, nearby demographic and availability of labour. The pre-let will allow us to open up the site and create additional estate infrastructure and development plateaus. This is an exciting moment for the North East, Richardson Barberry and Forrest Park.
“We are thrilled to have agreed a 25-year lease with DPD. This deal has already prompted other potential occupiers who have shown interest in Forrest Park. We can deliver building opportunities on both freehold and leasehold terms from 30,000 sq ft up to 1m sq ft. Newton Aycliffe is a highly attractive location for a range of major businesses due to its access to a skilled labour demographic and it is testament to the quality of Forrest Park that we have agreed pre-let terms with such a major occupier as DPD.”
Louise Ferguson, head of property for DPD Group UK, added: “We are absolutely delighted to agree terms for a new, purpose-built DPD distribution centre at Forrest Park. It is a great location for us. The new facility is part of DPD’s aim to be the most sustainable delivery company in the UK and a leader in the move to electric delivery vehicles.
“We have invested heavily in our regional network in the last 10 years to meet the huge increase in demand for our services and this new facility will allow us to offer an even better service to the area, with more efficient fleet, shorter journeys and lower emissions.”
