Wrenbridge gets consent for 623,000 sq ft logistics scheme

Flagship project to be delivered alongside funding partner Morgan Stanley.

Developer Wrenbridge Land has secured approval from Luton Borough Council for its proposed gateway logistics development in Bedfordshire.

The scheme, called Newlands Park, will host four business units offering a combined space of circa 623,000 sq ft.

The facilities, ranging in size from 40,000 sq ft to 310,000 sq ft, will be flexibly designed to function as headquarter buildings and will include extensive office and logistics space. Unlike previous proposals, no retail provision has been included to ensure that the retail offerings remain focused at the town centre. All units will be designed to achieve EPC A+ and BREEAM Excellent certifications.

Wrenbridge, along with funding partner Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing (MSREI), had acquired the 37 acre site in December 2021, which was originally part of Luton Town Football Club’s plans to build a new stadium. Former owner 2020 Developments Luton, the football club’s property arm, was given outline planning permission in 2019 for 40 acres of land but subsequently sold it to the developer.

The site is already earmarked as a mixed-use development with Wrenbridge submitting a hybrid application for the land earlier which covers full plans for the land north of Newlands Road and outline proposals for the areas south of Newlands Road.

The planning application details some circa 416,400 sq ft of employment floorspace is to be built, including an area for 347 parking spaces, associated access roads, landscaping and other works. At the southern tip, which has outline approval, around 207,740 sq ft of employment space can be built, including 200 parking spaces.

James Feltham, director of Wrenbridge, said: “Newlands Park offers grade A space with units ranging from 40,000 sq ft to 310,000 sq ft delivering much needed space to the market. With its proximity to J10 of the M1 the location offers fast access to the motorway and wider London and south east markets. Discussions with occupiers are ongoing and we are now focusing on commencing construction.”

Construction will be done in phases, with the initial earthworks for the northern and southern areas to begin in the new year. Completion and occupation of the first units is scheduled for 2024, with phase two to begin in the northern end, and phase three for the south.