SGP celebrates dynamic expansion of popular Essex business park

Stephen George + Partners (SGP) is celebrating the completion the first of several units currently on site at Panattoni Park Braintree, a popular and expanding business park in Essex, with excellent connections to London and the East Midlands.

Unit 1, a 171,449 sqft (GIA) warehouse with a 13,581 sqft open plan office plus associated service yard, parking and landscaping, is the first unit completed in Phase 2 of the development.

Phase 2 is an additional 33.5 acre extension to the existing site, accommodating over 400,000 sqft of logistics and employment accommodation. It includes units 2, 3, and 4, designed by SGP, and currently under construction with Glencar Construction, progressing sequentially with completion anticipated in Q4 2026.

Says Robert Bannerman, Principal Architectural Technologist at SGP: “We have worked closely with our client Panattoni and with the Design Code developed by Braintree District Council to create striking, quality units that offer a variety of sustainable accommodation to a broad range of potential tenants.”

Unit 2 comprises a 240,872 sqft warehouse with hub and internal office spaces and gatehouse, and uses a mix of blue, grey and white cladding with deep Sargasso blue highlights for key elements to deliver a strong contemporary design. The colourways of the 99,390 sqft Unit 3 are more in keeping with Unit 1, but with additional white panels to heighten the contrast across the elevations. Unit 4 is 64,442 sqft with a striking elevation treatment that includes ice blue panels with the base anthracite and white colours and deep blue cladding emphasising the entrances.

There is a further phase, called Panattoni Park Braintree 2.0, which will deliver an additional 172,070 sqft of high-quality industrial space in three units. The units range from 16,601 sqft to 44,205 sqft, delivering high quality mid-range spaces, designed to meet the continued strength of occupier demand in the South East. Units 5a and 5b and Units 6a and 6b, can also be combined to make two larger units, if required. These units follow the latest Design Code for the site and use Redwood timber cladding, along with metal panels, on the elevations to produce a stunning effect that will change colour over time. These units are expected to be available from Q1 2027.

Designed for sustainability, all the units will achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’, EPC ‘A’ and Net Zero Carbon in construction.

Continues Robert: “Our client was particularly determined to enhance the outside amenity space with holistic and inclusive landscaping, especially as the site nestles against farmland and has Great Notley Park on its borders.”

This emphasis on green space and amenities has created extensive landscaping, with green buffers around site, a trim trail, benches and picnic seating. The cycle stores all have soft sedum roofs. A central green / blue spine transects the site with trees, grass and swales. Another waterway uses the natural slope to run into an attenuation pond.

Concludes Marcus Madden-Smith, Partner: “With excellent transport links, including to London Stansted Airport, the M25, and London, Felixstowe, and London Gateway, this rapidly expanding development reflects the strength of the market for logistics spaces withing the south-east. Panattoni’s confidence in the park, seen in the simultaneous construction work on all the remaining units onsite, reflects their commitment to delivering an attractive, innovative development that delivers on their statement quality and sustainability.”