Work begins on major warehousing scheme
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WORK on a major new warehouse and employment park that will create nearly 1,000 jobs in Leicestershire has begun.
Known as G-Park, the scheme will span 48 acres and take up residence on the former Coal Lounge, Coal Preparation and Disposal Point on the edge of Ashby.
Planning permission for the site’s transformation was given by North West Leicestershire District Council last year, with the first on-site works taking place this week.
Developers say G-Park will become a major asset to Leicestershire and the wider Midlands. Situated on land next to the A511 and M42, it will comprise of at least one main warehouse that could be expanded to two depending on customer requirements.
The site will also feature a series of offices, as well as 555 car parking spaces.
Developers GLP said it expects between 880 and 990 full-time jobs to be created, and it is thought an additional 510 more positions could be created indirectly as a result of the development.
Before being given the go-ahead, high-profile opposition came from Ashby Civic Society which believes G-Park would “swallow up” the countryside.
Others voiced concerns about increased traffic along the A511 and the environmental impact it could have on the region. GLP says it has
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put ecology at the heart of the project, with a colony of great crested newts that were on the site now relocated.
G-Park is also expected to feature an extensive green outdoor space for landscaping and nature, including ponds.
Adrienne Howells, senior development director at GLP, said: “G-Park Ashby is an exciting addition to our portfolio in the Midlands and indicates our ongoing confidence in opportunities in the Golden Triangle [for logistics].
“Trends such as e-commerce have buoyed already high demand for prime logistics space, particularly high-quality, conveniently-located, sustainable facilities such as this.
“Not only will this new development bring excellent opportunities for our customers, it will also boost employment in the region, creating almost 1,000 jobs and providing major benefits for the local economy. Once again, we are planning our development with place-making as a priority, focusing on environmental features such as our ponds, green open spaces and our G-Hive bee programme.”
Current earthworks on G-Park are set to be completed by early 2023. The full site is set to be completed by March 2024.