Tritax Symmetry, Tritax Big Box’s dedicated logistics development company, has announced the practical completion of DPD’s new 60,000 sq ft parcel distribution hub at Symmetry Park, Bicester. The project represents the developer’s first ‘net zero carbon in construction’ building, as regulated by the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), to be delivered within the Tritax portfolio.
DPD signed a 25-year pre-let in May last year and joins: Ocado Retail, which agreed a 20-year lease on Unit B (164,000 sq ft) at the end of last year for a new customer fulfilment centre; Bentley Designs (88,000 sq ft) and Medline Services (110,000 sq ft).
This latest phase will see DPD relocate its existing operation in Bicester, and once fully operational, the new facility could create up to 250 new jobs.
The news coincides with the submission of a dual planning application to Cherwell District Council (CDC) for further development at the Park. Plot C falls within the Local Plan employment allocation and benefits from an outline consent.
The first option is for a new 268,765 sq ft distribution facility on the 14.59 acre site. The second planning application would see the development of two new distribution units comprising 90,298 sq ft and 172,180 sq ft. The units will be available on a leasehold basis.
Speaking about the progress on site, Tom Leeming development director at Tritax Symmetry, commented: “Completing DPD’s new facility is a significant milestone for our company. This is the first scheme in our portfolio to have been delivered to net zero carbon in construction guidelines. DPD holds similar Environmental, Social, and Governance values to ours and we are proud to handover the building to DPD on time and to budget.”
“Looking ahead, we have opted to submit two applications to provide the utmost flexibility on the remainder of the site enabling us to react quickly to market requirements.
DPD operates a net zero carbon delivery model and aims to be the greenest delivery company in the UK. With over 700 electric vehicles, equal to 10% of its fleet, DPD leads the parcel sector on the move to sustainable logistics and has launched a raft of other initiatives including energy and waste management, green packaging, smart urban delivery models and the DPD Eco Fund for schools and educational facilities across the UK working on green projects.
Louise Ferguson, General Manager, Property at DPD continued: “The new Bicester DC will be the greenest and most sustainable facility in our UK network to date and we are very grateful to the whole team for getting us to this point. But this is really just the start as we have also highlighted Oxford as one of the 25 towns and cities in the UK that DPD will deliver to using only zero and very low-emission delivery means by 2025. This facility is a key part of that plan and will help ensure we do our bit to reduce emissions and congestion in and around the city.”
Extending to a total of 53 acres, Symmetry Park, Bicester has the capacity to deliver up to 755,000 sq ft of logistics floor space.
