Panattoni Makes Major Site Acquisition In Kent

Maidstone looks set for a significant jobs boost following the purchase of a 70-acre site on the A20 between Lenham and Harrietsham by Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial logistics and distribution property developer.

The Kent site was previously owned by Belgium-based Aliaxis, which announced in June last year that it was ceasing the manufacture of Marley draining and plumbing materials, with the loss of more than 200 jobs.

Synonymous with Marley Tiles since its founder Owen Aisher started the firm in the 1920s, the site became the area’s largest employer. The site, which Aliaxis will vacate in October, has in excess of 1,000,000ft² of employment space and is considered a key employment location for the Borough.

After more than 100 years of industrial use, the buildings are at the end of life their life and require full redevelopment. The regeneration of this brownfield site will also require the removal and remediation of all onsite contamination associated with the historic uses.

The acquisition adds to Panattoni’s current portfolio across Kent, including sites in Aylesford, Sittingbourne and Wrotham, where it has invested more than £635m in delivering high quality logistics, distribution and warehousing space.

Tony Watkins, Head of Development: South East & London at Panattoni, said: “We can confirm that Panattoni have completed the purchase of the site, following the success of the Aylesford Newsprint regeneration, we are looking forward to engaging with local stakeholders through a consultation process, to ensure the future redevelopment of the site meets the needs of the local borough.

“The quality of the development we have completed at Aylesford in the neighbouring authority of Tonbridge and Malling has been well received where we delivered on our promises to the local community. The Aylesford Newsprint site investment regenerated a 90-acre brownfield site which had been vacant for 5 years into a strategic sustainable employment site which more the replaced the jobs lost with the paper mill shut.”

Marley Tiles relocated from its longstanding 8-acre site at Wrotham, near Sevenoaks to a new facility at Panattoni Park Aylesford. Purchased by Panattoni, the Wrotham site is currently the subject of a planning application to create new premises for up to six businesses of varying sizes split across two buildings.

Panattoni acquired 33 acres of contended employment land in Sittingbourne which had sat vacant and undeveloped for 15 years. Post acquisition Panattoni committed to the largest speculative development in Kent for more than a decade. Two of the three units have occupiers committed with the third of interest to local Kent based occupiers looking for sustainable buildings to support their businesses.

Tony Watkins added: “Historically, the former Aliaxis site has been the primary employer for the borough. We hope that our plans to restore this status with modern sustainable carbon neutral buildings, will be well received.”

For further information on the company visit www.Panattoni.co.uk