Two brand-new units in Dorset blazing a trail with renewable power have been leased in 10-year deals.
The speculative Magna Park scheme in Poole is thought to be the first of its kind in Dorset for energy efficiency – Units 20 and 30 are net energy producers.
Both detached units have a minus EPC rating of -52, giving a A+ rating below net zero, surpassing carbon neutral.
They contribute excess clean energy back to the national grid via solar or storing it in batteries for future use.
Unit 30, at just over 33,000 sq ft, has been occupied by Medequip, a leading provider of community equipment services to local authorities and the NHS across the UK.
Headquartered near London Heathrow, Medequip has sites across England and works in partnership with BCP Council, Dorset Council and NHS Dorset.
Unit 20, at just over 23,300 sq ft, is with Cross Court Padel following the successful change of use to an indoor padel tennis centre – padel is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK.
In a related development, a two-acre plot at Magna Park, off Magna Road, has a reserved matters application to deliver a 27,500 sq ft high-specification warehouse/industrial unit, Magna 40.
Joint agents are Vail Williams, Lambert Smith Hampton and Howell Commercial.
Bryony Thompson is a Partner at property consultancy Vail Williams, which has an office in Bournemouth directly opposite the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
She said: “Medequip signed a 10-year lease on Magna 30, with a 10-year lease on Magna 20 by Cross Court Padel following the successful change of use to an indoor padel tennis centre.
“The speculative scheme, a county-first for energy efficiency in this kind of setting, and a new benchmark for industrial park builds in the region, shows that if you build, they will come.”
Bryony added: “The developer is expecting reserved matters consents for Magna 40, a 27,500 sq ft detached building on two acres which will be available for sale or to let.”
Magna Park is the first speculative development in Dorset where the developer has provided battery storage for the PV array, providing one third of baseline energy.
Magna 30 has fitted offices, 340 kVA power supply, 51 parking spaces and a secure 46m yard depth.
Also with fitted offices, Magna 20 has 240 kVA power supply, 36 parking spaces and a secure 36m yard depth.
Both units have the benefit of large secure yards.
The success of Magna 20 and Magna 30 has given the developer confidence to speculatively build Magna 40.
“We are hoping this will be delivered by the third quarter of 2027,” Bryony said.
Canford Renewable Energy is the developer and the building contractor was Jade-Aden Services, of Holton Heath, near Wareham in Dorset.
Rent details are undisclosed.
Magna 10, another standalone unit, was sold to Country Fare Foodservice, a company which provides a range of local fresh produce for the catering industry.
