Almost half of an energy-saving light industrial scheme, which provides free electricity to occupants, has been pre-let during construction at Thorp Arch Estate near Wetherby.
A total of 40 per cent of the £8m latest phase of Ash Way, which provides free electricity through roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels, was pre-let during the 11-month construction period with a further 40 per cent with solicitors or under offer.
The speculative development of nine light industrial units, totalling 93,409 sq ft, built for the Estate owner, has been constructed to be operationally carbon net zero for a typical warehouse occupier and is part of moves to tackle climate change. It is the estate’s first scheme with roof-fitted solar PV panels as standard.
The units also feature audible water leak detection systems, PIR (passive infra-red) sensor-operated LED lighting in both office and warehouse areas and electric vehicle (EV) charging points.
While the PV panels’ performance depends on available sunlight, the development has been modelled using the government’s standard assessment procedure for its carbon net zero forecasts.
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating for Unit 21, which has PV panels capable of generating 87,614.35 kWh a year, scored -3 resulting with an A+ banding, the best rating attainable. EPCs for the other units are yet to be completed. The scheme is designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘very good’ rating.
Occupiers are using the new units mainly for distribution and include existing estate tenants, who are expanding, and companies relocating from Leeds, Harrogate, and York and nearby areas.
The development, built by Castlehouse Construction, Leeds, and managed by property and construction consultants, LHL Group, York, is equidistant between Leeds, Harrogate and York and comprises individual units ranging from 4,031 sq ft to 31,647 sq ft.
The 385-acre Thorp Arch Estate, a former war time munitions factory offering two million sq ft of commercial premises in a parkland setting, is the base for more than 180 businesses, from small enterprises to large plcs, operating in local, national and international markets and employing more than 2,000 people.