Tritax Symmetry, the dedicated logistics development company of Tritax Big Box, has been granted outline planning consent by Rugby Borough Council for up to 2 million sq ft of employment space in Rugby.
The planning application was submitted in November 2017 to support the Local Plan through its public examination and assisted in securing the site’s allocation in the adopted Local Plan (June 2019). The site forms part of the wider South West Rugby Urban Extension which is due to provide up to 5,000 new homes.
Extending to a total of 111 acres, Symmetry Park has the capacity to deliver a single building up to 1 million sq ft and offers the opportunity to create a first class regionally significant logistics hub on the important M45/A45 strategic highway link. Tritax Symmetry are committed to investing over £200m into the local area, delivering new and major upgrades to the existing highways infrastructure, whilst creating over 2,400 new jobs and increasing business rates revenue.
Cllr Jill Simpson-Vince, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for Growth and Investment, said: “I am very pleased to see this strategic employment site take a significant step forward. This site will kickstart the delivery of the wider South West Rugby development, bringing much needed investment and jobs and helping to realise the growth identified in the Borough’s Local Plan. It is pleasing to see that progress continues even during these difficult times.”
Mannie Ketley, Executive Director of Rugby Borough Council, commented: “We have been working closely with Tritax Symmetry and are delighted to see this net zero carbon in construction development receive planning consent. It is an important step towards our goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. We have a strong track record of working with businesses to achieve sustainable growth and I would like to thank Tritax Symmetry for their commitment to support Rugby’s economic recovery. I look forward to working with them as the scheme develops.”
Speaking about the project, Jonathan Dawes, Planning Director, commented: “We are pleased members voted in favour of this application, recognising the economic benefits of the proposals. We are currently working up a detailed application for the first phase which will consist of a two-unit scheme equating to over 320,000 sq ft with significant infrastructure investment planned upfront”.
Joseph Skinner, associate development director at Tritax Symmetry, continued: “Symmetry Park, Rugby is located at the heart of the logistics ‘Golden Triangle’ network and is an established key distribution and manufacturing location. This area is home to many international businesses which are attracted to the area by its favourable demographics and excellent transport links with the M1 and M6 being just a few miles away. We now have the capability to offer bespoke design & build facilities to suit individual occupier requirements.”