Plans for huge new distribution and manufacturing park could create 3,000 jobs in Peterborough

A 300 acre site off the northbound side of the A1 junction 17 and adjacent to the A605 has been selected as a possible addition for the distribution and manufacturing park Peterborough Gateway, at Alwalton Hill, which is now full.

The new Gateway, which would be called Newlands Park Peterborough, still requires planning approval by Huntingdonshire District Council with the construction of any buildings unlikely until 2023.

Although the proposal is still in its early stages, four companies are already in talks about the possibility of moving on to the new site, which it is estimated could create 3,000 jobs.

John Barker, development director at Newlands Developments, said: “The new site is agricultural land at the moment and currently has no planning status.

“We plan to submit a planning application for three million square feet of development this year.

“Even though there has not been any marketing of the site, we are already talking to four companies about the possibility of locating there.

“The companies are a mix of national, regional and local firms looking to expand.”

The selection of the site by Newlands Developments comes as the final spaces at Peterborough Gateway, which opened seven years ago, are taken up.

Mr Barker said: “Peterborough Gateway is contractually full - there is no further space left.

“Work is currently under way on site on the last remaining buildings with the occupiers still to move in.

“We are delighted at the take-up at Peterborough Gateway - it has been one of our most successful developments over the last three years.

“In total, it has provided 4.5 million square feet of development creating 4,000 jobs.”

The 240 acre Peterborough Gateway was opened to great fanfare from the city’s political and business leaders just seven years ago.

After a slow start, demand from companies for a plot on which to build huge warehouses and manufacturing hubs of 100,000sqft and above took off a few years ago.

Now Peterborough Gateway is home to some illustrious names including DPD, Smart Garden, Kingsley Beverages, Lidl, Coloplast, Lineage Logistics, E-Leather, DSV, AM Fresh and URBN.

In addition, American spice gaint McCormick, and vegan milk manufcaturer Oatly, a new Amazon delivery station and Chinese logistics company MS Star are in the process of setting up at Gateway.

Mr Barker said: “We opened Peterborough Gateway in the middle of a recession so we endured a slow start.

“But interest has really taken off in the last few years.”

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