As sections of the UK economy slowly emerge from the Pandemic, a firm in Dartford, Kent has been able to take advantage of local commercial opportunities thanks to a development that came to fruition despite the international health crisis.
Ahead of the March 2020 lockdown, there had been huge demand for warehousing space on parts of the M25 London Orbital Motorway creating a shortage of suitably available industrial property on the outskirts of the capital.
Then crisis struck, the country went into lockdown and many companies either ceased or paused trading.
But, despite this, developer Newable held firm and followed through on its strategic plan to develop five industrial units on a 3.84-acre site off the A2026 Victoria Road at Dartford.
And, not only did it deliver an impressive development alongside HBPW and Mitchell Design & Construct Ltd, but the company was able to sell all of the new units, playing its own part in alleviating the historic shortage of industrial property in the district.
HBPW Partner, Emyr Parry, led the team that completed the civil and structural engineering element of the project.
He said: “Under normal circumstances it would have been a straightforward design and build development to meet local demand. However, like so many other things in the ‘Pandemic Period’, it became so much more because no one quite knew what the post Pandemic market would look like.”
However, Newable held firm and went ahead with the brownfield development close to Dartford town centre, completing the industrial units which featured small mezzanine areas, their own yards and varied in size from c10-20,000 square feet.
“We completed drawings relating to drainage, foundations and superstructure and, whilst I am happy to see that the economic recovery is tangibly gathering pace, it was a smart move on Newable’s part to push on despite the Pandemic, for they have been able to take advantage of the re-emerging market with 100% sales,” added Emyr, “a superb result.”
HBPW has completed a number of identical projects in the Dartford, Enfield and Rainham areas as well as other districts within proximity of the M25.
Client: Newable
Contractor: Mitchell Design & Construct Ltd