Panattoni acquires North West's largest brownfield logistics site

Panattoni has exchanged contracts to acquire a 30-acre brownfield site in Warrington, in what is described as the largest strategic logistics land deal in the North West so far this year.

The site, located at Hardwick Grange next to Junction 21 of the M6, was previously occupied by supermarket chains Safeway and Iceland. It has been acquired from Firethorn and English Real Estates Ltd.

Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, plans to demolish the existing buildings and bring forward a speculative redevelopment of the site into a modern logistics park. The proposed scheme will target BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings and will be designed to meet rising demand for energy-efficient industrial space in the region.

Dan Burn, Head of Development for the North West and Yorkshire at Panattoni, said the existing structures are no longer viable and that the site offers a strategic opportunity to deliver a sustainable redevelopment aligned with local economic priorities. The company plans to submit a planning application early next year, following consultation with Warrington Borough Council and planning advisors Lichfields.

The scheme is expected to provide local employment opportunities and incorporate improvements to landscaping and site accessibility.

Brownfield regeneration forms a key part of Panattoni’s UK strategy, with the company reporting that such projects account for around 2 million sq ft of its acquisitions in 2025. The Warrington purchase underlines the firm’s ongoing focus on urban repurposing in established logistics markets.