In 2006, planning permission
was granted for the development
of two warehouses with
exceptional environmental
credentials at Sideway,
Stoke-on-Trent.
ProLogis
is now aiming to maximise
both the employment opportunities
and environmental performance
of the site, with a revised
proposal for a single,
state-of-the-art warehouse
in a natural landscape.
The new design uses less
steel and maximises space
with a striking "cable-stay" structure,
to further reduce the
carbon footprint of this
benchmark development.
ProLogis' new plans create
one warehouse instead of
the previous two. This will
match similar buildings nearby
and meet a market need for
larger buildings.
The new application is expected
to make the development more
attractive to the modern
occupier and encourage the
early arrival of new jobs.
ProLogis will use the latest
environmental building methods
in its new designs, for instance
reducing the amount of steel
used in construction. The
production of steel is carbon
intensive - the less used,
the smaller the building’s “carbon
footprint”. This will
improve the environmental
sustainability of the development
beyond ProLogis’ original
targets.
The reduced steel and larger
building have led to a fresh
new design for Sideway. The
overall roof height will
be lower than the previous
plans and will include a
mast and “cable stayed” roof
support structure. This will
be an architectural feature,
rather like a modern football
stadium. In addition, part
of the roof will be planted,
creating green areas and
natural habitats. This will
soften the building’s
visual impact on the landscape.
ProLogis will submit a new planning application following
the public consultation.
Clearance work is currently underway on the site, following the previous planning
permission. If permission is granted for this revised scheme by September/October,
then construction is planned to begin before Christmas 2007.
Once begun, the first phase of works - including the main warehouse and the first
SME units - should take around
12 months. The second phase of work will
complete
the SME units.
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