Richardson Barberry has announced the practical completion of leading premium parcel delivery firm DPD’s new purpose-built distribution hub at Forrest Park, the £250 million business park development located at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.
The 63,000 sq ft Grade A logistics facility has been delivered on behalf of DPD, which has committed to a 25-year lease on the eight-acre site. The new hub – located adjacent to Junction 59 of the A1(M) – has the potential to create up to 250 additional roles as DPD expands its operations in the North East.
Developed to BREEAM Excellent standards, the facility reflects the shared commitment of Richardson Barberry and DPD to sustainable development and long-term environmental performance.
Yorkshire-based main contractor Caddick Construction successfully delivered the project following its appointment by Richardson Barberry, with the completion marking a significant milestone in the continued growth of Forrest Park.
Jon Robinson, development director at Richardson Barberry, said: “Handing over DPD’s new regional distribution hub is a major milestone for Richardson Barberry, DPD and Forrest Park. From securing the pre-let agreement through to delivery of this high-quality facility, the first of its kind built to the latest DPD build specification for its distribution centres in the UK, the project has demonstrated the strength of demand for best-in-class logistics space in the North East and the quality of the opportunity at Forrest Park, the region’s leading employment site.
“The state-of-the-art building will support DPD’s long-term operational growth while delivering jobs and economic benefits for County Durham. The successful completion of this project further reinforces Forrest Park’s position as the region’s premier industrial and logistics site.
“We are proud to have successfully delivered DPD into the development and look forward to reporting more occupier deals at Forrest Park in the near future. Continuing to see the positive economic impact and much needed jobs it will bring to the local communities and businesses.”
He added: “We would like to thank DPD, Durham County Council, the Forrest family, Caddick Construction and the wider consultant team for their collaborative approach throughout the development process. This latest milestone continues the momentum at Forrest Park as we progress discussions with further occupiers and advance the next phases of development.”
Louise Ferguson, head of property at DPD, said: “We are excited to see our new facility at Forrest Park reach practical completion. The purpose-built hub provides us with the capacity, efficiency and operational resilience we require to handle the growing demand for DPD’s services in the area, with space to carry on growing for a number of years.
“The investment forms part of DPD’s ongoing commitment to enhancing and expanding our nationwide network and supports our long-term sustainability ambitions. We look forward to commencing operations from the new hub and continuing to grow our operation in the region.”
Nick Bramwell, associate director at Savills, said: “The completion of this facility is another important step forward for Forrest Park and demonstrates the success of our long-term vision for the site. DPD’s investment will help create new job opportunities and strengthen County Durham’s position as a leading location for business investment and logistics operations.
“It marks another significant investment by Richardson Barberry in the region’s industrial and logistics sector and leaves a lasting legacy through the involvement of local supply chain partners and employment opportunities created throughout the construction programme.”
Forrest Park is being delivered by Richardson Barberry through a development agreement between Durham County Council and local landowners the Forrest family. Over the next decade, the development has the potential to provide up to 1.8 million sq ft of industrial and logistics space and create more than 3,000 jobs, generating a substantial economic boost for County Durham and the wider North East.
Richardson Barberry has secured planning consent for the first phase of development at Forrest Park, comprising 830,500 sq ft of industrial and logistics accommodation across eight units, with significant infrastructure investment already completed to support future occupier growth.
