City Fields, Wakefield

The built environment is responsible for about 37% of all carbon emissions globally. So improving energy efficiency is of the most important factors in achieving Net Zero carbon emissions.

Meanwhile the rise in e-commerce – accelerated by the pandemic – has driven greater investment in urban and last-mile logistics; and factors such as use diversification and re-shoring are helping to sustain demand.

So low-carbon logistics facilities are becoming increasingly attractive to organisations as a way to meet consumer demand, cut operating costs, accelerate their own Net Zero journey by reducing emissions, and future-proof their real estate portfolio against incoming regulation.

Bridges acquired this site in early 2022 alongide Opus North, and submitted an outline planning consent for c.505,000 sq. ft. of majority industrial but also trade counter, drive-thrus and restaurants.

The proposals aim to regenerate and remediate an area located to the eastern side of Wakefield City.

The industrial units are targeting BREEAM “Very Good” and EPC ratings of B as a minimum. This is expected to reduce utility costs for tenants and minimise the development’s
impact on the environment. Renewable energy technologies such as photovoltaic panels are proposed.

The proposed development will enable jobs on a vacant site. The small energy-efficient industrial units will appeal to SME occupiers and employees from the local community. It is estimated that when the scheme is fully occupied, the new development willn support approximately 800 jobs.