Trammell Crow Company Secures Planning Permission To Deliver Greater Manchester Logistics Scheme

Trammell Crow Company (TCC), a global commercial real estate developer, has secured planning permission following a successful appeal for a 44,637 sq m (480,469 sq ft) Grade A logistics scheme in Heywood, Greater Manchester.

TCC will develop best-in-class industrial and logistics space in two buildings, with two units (the first consisting of 4,796 sq m / 51,623 sq ft and the second spanning 4,410 sq m / 47,468 sq ft) in one building with the option to combine depending on occupier demand, and a third unit spanning 35,431 sq m (381,378 sq ft) in a separate building. The scheme is designed to suit all industrial and logistics users.

TCC will target BREEAM Excellent certification and an EPC A rating. The development will feature timber structures and air source heat pumps for the offices, 100% photovoltaic-ready roofing and zero-carbon warehouse frames, while also enabling significant biodiversity net gain.

The site on Manchester Road is strategically positioned with direct access to Junction 19 of the M62, and is three miles east of the M60/M62/M66 intersection, providing access to the entire north west region. Heywood is located north of Manchester, close to the key M62 motorway corridor that links the north west to Yorkshire and is in one of the UK’s key prime logistics locations, serving a regional population of 7.2 million within an hour’s drive.

Having submitted its application in October 2022, TCC secured planning permission for the scheme from the Planning Inspectorate following a successful planning appeal. A general contractor is expected to be appointed in Q1 2025, and TCC will complete the scheme in summer 2026.

Sophie Watkin, UK Planning Director at Trammell Crow Company, said: “Having worked closely with Rochdale Borough Council over the past couple of years, we are very pleased with this decision, which is a reflection on the perseverance and expertise of our team and advisors. We look forward to working with the council and other stakeholders to deliver a first-class sustainable scheme that creates new jobs and economic opportunities for the community.”

Jamie Hargreaves, UK Development Director at Trammell Crow Company, said: “This is a much-needed, high-quality speculative development in a prime location for logistics. The north west region, and Manchester in particular, is a supply constrained market with the lowest vacancy rate in the UK, meaning that businesses in the area need schemes like this to enable them to grow and create job opportunities for the local community. This decision is the right one for the region, and is the result of TCC’s conviction in the scheme, the north west region, and the UK’s logistics market as a whole.”

Gerald Eve acted as planning consultants. TCC was represented by Joanna Bassett and others from law firm Taylor Wessing, as well as barristers Christopher Katkowski KC and Martin Carter, both of Kings Chambers. Ashton Smith Associates are the architects on the scheme. Gerald Eve (Jason Print) and CPP (Steve Moriarty) are brokers.