Tritax launches major expansion at Rugby logistics hub
Over 1.4m sq ft of employment space could be added to a Rugby logistics and industrial site, after Tritax Big Box Developments launched plans for the second phase of Symmetry Park.
The hybrid proposals lodged with Rugby Borough Council include a full planning application for a 300,000 sq ft storage and distribution unit with offices, alongside outline plans for a further three large industrial sheds, set to form a northern extension to the park.
The scheme also includes the creation of a 20-acre green space knowns as Cawston Landscape Park, featuring new footpaths linked to existing public rights of way, communal orchards with edible planting, and informal levelled play areas.
TBBD say the development responds to the changing face of the logistics industry, which demands “larger buildings for economies of scale” and ” proximity to customers for next day delivery”.
“Symmetry Park, Rugby represents an opportunity for consistent, coherent and high quality development with flexibility to accommodate a range of logistics and industrial occupiers in varying size units,” said a supporting statement submitted with the plans.
“The need for logistics floorspace is embedded throughout the supply chain of goods – and is no longer to be regarded as a place of storage for final products, with few job opportunities. The UK’s manufacturing industry requires efficient logistics facilities to serve the manufacturing process.
“Recent trends in ‘reshoring’ – the return of component suppliers back to the UK particularly from the Far East, has accentuated the need for efficient logistics buildings to be developed as a matter of urgency,” it adds.
The site forms part of the wider South West Rugby Urban Extension, a 960 acre site which includes allocations for 5,000 new homes, employment land and green infrastructure.
As part of the original plans for Symmetry Park, around three miles south-west of Rugby, planning permission for up to 2 million sq ft of industrial space was granted in 2020, with the first units ready for occupation in March 2024.
Information management and record storage firm Iron Mountain agreed a deal for 1m sq ft of space at the site in 2022.
Joseph Skinner, development director at TBBD, said: “Located at the heart of the logistics Golden Triangle, Rugby represents an established major distribution and manufacturing location.
“Organisations who choose to be based here can benefit from access to a highly skilled work force, as well as access to major infrastructure routes. The creation of the new park will provide additional amenities to the public and we look forward in working in partnership with local stakeholders to bring this forward.
“With Iron Mountain already operating here and strong occupational market demand, we believe it is the opportune time to bring forward this next phase. Subject to planning approval, the site will be developed on a speculative or design and build basis with units up to 1 million sq ft available.”
The project team includes Framptons Town Planning (Planning Consultants), EDP (Ecology and Landscaping), Stantec (Highways and Transport), Tier Consult (Civil and Structural Engineers), Rider Levitt Bucknall (Project Manager), McBains (Quantity Surveyor), Ridge (BREEAM), Basepower (Utilites) and MBA (M&E).
Colliers International & ILP Partners are letting agents for Rugby.
Documents and plans relating to the application can be viewed on the Rugby council planning portal under reference: R25/0896
