Global provider of sustainable logistics space, Gazeley and Standard Life Investment Funds Limited today announce a major deal with leading retailer, Morrisons, to deliver a 920,000 sq warehouse and distribution complex at G. Park Sittingbourne, located close to the M2 in Kent.

The deal is thought to be the South East’s biggest ever pre-let and will deliver a large-scale warehouse complex split across two units at the site. The new development will be used by Morrisons to service and supply its South East stores and will provide up to 1,000 new jobs for local people.

Included in the plans for the site are a number of cutting edge environmental technologies such as a revolutionary new kinetic plates in the estate roads, which will generate power from every vehicle moving in and out of the site. Other state of the art eco-friendly measures including rain water harvesting and recycling, energy efficient lighting, low water use appliances and FSC approved timber will also provide massive operational cost savings for Morrisons over the lifetime of the building, whilst proving that environmental steps can impact positively on a company’s bottom line.

James Brook, Development Surveyor at Morrisons, comments, “This major new facility will enable us to better service our growing business. As one of the UK’s top four supermarket chains it is important that we continually develop our infrastructure to enable us to continue to deliver exceptional service to our customers.

“We selected this site primarily because of its strategic location and close links to the South East motorway network but also because of the unbeatable environmental credentials which Gazeley has been able to offer. The environmental agenda and CSR are key considerations for our business going forward and this was an important factor in our decision to choose this site to develop our next warehouse and distribution centre.”

G. Park Sittingbourne is part of a Joint Venture between Gazeley and Standard Life Investment Funds Limited. The two companies have already secured outline planning permission for 1.8 million sq ft of warehouse and distribution space at the site in Kent, but the development for Morrisons will be the first unit to begin construction at the park.

Charles Blake, Development Manager at Gazeley, comments, “Morrisons is a household name and is recognised as one of the major player in the UK retail market. The move by Morrisons to become the first occupier at G. Park Sittingbourne not only demonstrates the strategic location and quality of the development, but also highlights the growing demand from customers for state of the art environmental buildings.

“Gazeley has an unparalleled sustainability offer and by combining our expertise in this field with a focus on delivery, quality, location and the right labour market, we have been able to secure the biggest ever pre-let in the South East with Morrisons.”

Mike Hannigan, Investment Director at Standard Life Investments commented: “Morrisons’ move to Sittingbourne affirms our long term confidence in this development and we are delighted that a tenant of Morrisons’ standing has agreed to become the first occupier.”

Morrisons has agreed to take a 20 year lease with an approximate rent across the two buildings of £5.4m per annum. Savills, GVA Grimley and CBRE represented Standard Life Investment Funds Limited. and Gazeley in the deal.