There is a new planning submission for development at the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal. It highlights continuing demand for rail-connected facilities in the UK’s “Logistics Golden Triangle”. Prologis UK has applied to develop new rail-served warehousing at the site, in the heart of the English Midlands. The application follows a series of commitments from retailers and logistics operators seeking multimodal supply chain platforms.
The proposed facility forms part of the remaining development capacity at DIRFT III. Recent occupier announcements, including retailer Marks & Spencer, XPO Logistics and e-commerce retailer Laura James, suggest the estate continues to attract businesses looking for central distribution sites with direct rail access and established infrastructure connections.
Further development proposed at DIRFT III
Real estate developer Prologis UK has submitted its proposals to West Northamptonshire Council for a new rail-served distribution centre at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal. The building, known as DC762, would provide a significant 70,800 square metres (762,000 square feet) of warehouse space on the eastern side of the DIRFT III estate – the third and final phase of the logistics park.
The development forms part of three plots together providing around 98,800 square metres (1,063,000 square feet) of remaining consented floorspace at the logistics park. Two further units measuring 14,700 square metres (158,000 square feet) and 24,600 square metres (265,000 square feet) are expected to follow in separate planning submissions.
Growing customer demand for rail-connected logistics
The proposals follow increased enquiries from retailers, logistics providers and e-commerce operators seeking large distribution platforms with multimodal transport links. DIRFT’s rail connection has become an important feature for companies looking to move goods through the Midlands logistics corridor.
“Enquiries at DIRFT have increased as customers prioritise scale, connectivity and long-term certainty,” said James Hemstock, Capital Deployment Director at Prologis UK. “Progressing these developments now ensures that capacity is available to meet sustained demand in the Midlands. DIRFT continues to demonstrate the strength of rail-connected logistics infrastructure as a long-term platform for UK supply chains.”
Recent occupiers strengthen freight hub role
Over the past six months, several major occupiers have confirmed new facilities at the estate. Marks & Spencer is developing a national food distribution centre measuring about 120,800 square metres (1.3 million square feet), while XPO Logistics has established a national chilled palletised hub serving dairy producer Arla Foods.
More recently, e-commerce homeware brand Laura James confirmed plans for a 20,200 square metre (217,785 square foot) build-to-suit facility at DIRFT. These projects have reinforced the role of the terminal as one of the UK’s principal inland freight distribution hubs with direct rail access.
Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal sits at the heart of the UK’s Logistics Golden Triangle, the Midlands area from which most of the national population can be reached within four hours by road. Its strategic location on the rail network gives the site an additional advantage. The terminal’s intermodal facilities allow containers and palletised freight to move directly between rail and distribution warehouses, supporting long-distance trunk movements by train and helping operators reduce road congestion and emissions.