Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has reached practical completion of an industrial facility for Panattoni. The 417,500 sq logistics warehouse – the largest speculative unit in Yorkshire – has been constructed as Net Zero carbon and has achieved EPC A and BREEAM Excellent.
The facility comprises a 397,375 sq ft warehouse with 35 dock doors and 3 level access doors, a 15,895 sq ft, 3-storey main office and a 4,000 sq ft, 2-storey hub office. Winvic has also constructed an 85-metre-deep yard with parking for 74 HGVs and 358 cars – 20 per cent of which are electric charging spaces.
Early project challenges last year included works commencing during the wettest March on record and investigation for historical items in the ground, due the site being a on former Ministry of Defence land. No historic items or military equipment were found however, several different ground types were found during this process so the whole site was remediated and stabilised, while a large area of made ground, was excavated, crushed and screened, and then re-used onsite – all materials, in fact, were reused or recycled. Nevertheless, the Winvic team carefully managed the programme to meet the completion schedule and de-risked the project further by installing temporary drainage to ensure the site would remain dry.
The steel frame erection programme was also rapid, and 1,400 tonnes was installed in seven weeks with up to five mobile cranes working in tandem. The 242 x 153 metre steel frame contains an average of 26 per cent recycled content. Other sustainability features include 100% recycled content within the rebar reinforcement, a 100% recycled polythene slip and 36% GGBS content was used in the concrete foundations. 15 per cent roof lights feature and the roof has been designed to hold up to 100 per cent PV. The aluminium framework on the glazing contains 40% recycled content and the glass itself contains 25%.
An unusual feature of the project is the surface water drainage system, which discharges no surface water from site. Winvic installed an underground soakaway attenuation tank beneath the main car park, comprising six 167 metre-long and 2.4 metre-diameter interconnected perforated steel pipes, which allow the collected surface water to soak into the surrounding ground.
In addition to the project’s impressive sustainability credentials, significant social value was achieved during the construction of Panattoni Doncaster 420. Winvic worked in partnership with Panattoni, its supply chain and City of Doncaster Council to deliver an Employment and Skills Plan, which prioritised training and employment opportunities for local people and businesses as part of the developments planning conditions. Targets were exceeded with 40.4% of the project’s workforce coming from within a 30-mile radius of the site, and 46 new vacancies were awarded to local people. Winvic’s commitment to supporting those with barriers to employment included providing opportunities to veterans and young people (aged 16 to 24 years) who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Furthermore, 10 apprenticeships and a year-in-industry placement were supported. Winvic worked with Doncaster and North Lindsey colleges to deliver workshops and offer site visits for students. Additional economic value was brought to the local area, with a third of the project’s spend coming from local suppliers and two-thirds with SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises), including two social enterprises.
Danny Nelson, Winvic’s Director of Industrial, Distribution and Logistics, commented: “Panattoni Doncaster 420 was not without its challenges, especially at the start of the project, but us handing over the project on schedule is a testament to the expertise of our team and their collaborative problem-solving skills; I’d like to thank them for their hard work. This completion for Panattoni also adds another Net Zero Carbon facility to our credentials, taking the total to 36 individual facilities. I look forward to continuing our great relationship with Panattoni throughout the recently announced Panattoni Park Swindon project and many more in the future.”
Heidi Salmons, Winvic’s Head of Marketing, Communications & Social Responsibility added: “I would like to commend the team for their active community involvement and for exceeding the local employment and spend targets set as part of the development’s planning conditions. We are proud of our contribution to the Doncaster community and look forward to continuing our partnership with Panattoni to deliver further social, economic, and environmental benefits in tandem.”
Dan Burn, development director at Panattoni added: “Panattoni is delighted to complete another sustainable speculative development in the South Yorkshire region, and we would like to congratulate Winvic on meeting the tight programme. Panattoni Doncaster 420 occupies a prime location in South Yorkshire with fantastic transport links, providing easy access to both national and international consumer and industrial markets.”
Winvic has also recently commenced works at one of the UK’s largest brownfield sites and former Honda Car Plant, Panattoni Park Swindon. The delivery comprises ground contamination investigations across the 36-acre site and the demolition of four main existing structures; a research and development building, an engine plant, two car plants and 12 ancillary buildings.
For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit X (formerly Twitter) @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn.