SGP moves forward with new business park near Towcester

Stephen George + Partners (SGP) is pleased to announce that enabling works have begun for a new 34.50 Ha / 85.26 acre high quality employment park north of the A43 at Towcester. Outline planning permission was secured in 2022, with SGP working closely with IM Properties Ltd to bring forward reserved matters applications across the site. The estate will be accessed from the A43 via a new roundabout designed to improve traffic management in the area.

The first reserved matters approvals, granted in March 2025, relate to Zone C which includes Plots 1 and 2. Unit 1 is a 14,978 sqm warehouse with ground and first floor offices, cycle facilities and car parking, in line with the masterplan-wide provision of 10% EV charging and a further 10% future allocation. Its prominent location gives it a gateway role at the entrance to the development. Unit 2, at 43,514 sqm GIA, includes multi-level office accommodation, an amenity space on the roof, and a cluster of ancillary spaces including a gatehouse and hub offices to support operational needs.

Planning approval for Zone B followed in October 2025, covering Plots 4 and 5. Plot 4 delivers 4,678 sqm GIA, comprising 4,225 sqm warehouse space with offices arranged over three floors, and dedicated areas for car parking, HGV access and plant. Plot 5 is a 12,253 sqm GIA unit with 11,512 sqm warehouse accommodation and a suite of office and ancillary spaces, supported by a large service yard, HGV parking, cycle provision and a sprinkler pumphouse and tank. Together, these units extend the design approach established in Zone C, ensuring consistency in material palette, building tone and massing while responding to the context of the site.

Explains Luke Abbott, Partner at SGP: “The architecture responds to the outline parameters and the rurality of the surrounding environment with carefully considered natural recessive hues and building tones making the units the backdrop to the existing and proposed landscaping which will bring the vibrant colours to the site. There is an approximate 7m level difference across site which posed a challenge but also offered an opportunity. Using the existing level difference between the A46 to the north-east and Tiffield Lane to the west, we have introduced different plateau levels to each plot. This has been achieved using retaining and careful cut and fill earthworks, allowing us to modulate the roof heights across all the plots.”

All buildings feature a coherent design approach using flat-profile or micro-rib composite cladding panels to break down the massing and highlight active office frontages. Full-height glazing and slender framing provide refinement to key elevations, while main facades are oriented inward to address the spine road, create a sense of place and minimise visual impact on surrounding routes.

SGP worked collaboratively with the landscape architect to reinforce the rural character of the area. The strategy emphasises retention of mature planting and the introduction of native trees and hedgerows to strengthen landscape buffers. A 3m threshold along the spine road screens buildings from pedestrians and vehicles, while the south-west corner of the site retains and enhances existing landscape and watercourse features to create a publicly accessible amenity space. The former railway corridor running north to south through the site has been preserved as a green infrastructure route, maintaining its ecological and landscape value.

Concludes Byron Magumise, Associate at SGP: “This is an extremely challenging and exciting site, with a number of sensitive landscapes, conservation areas, parks and listed buildings close by. SGP has put the focus on the rural nature of the site and developed a design that respond to the surroundings. The Towcester Park development will deliver quality warehouse and logistics space and bring in an estimated 1,464 gross FTE jobs.”

Reserved matters applications for Zones A and D have also been submitted to complete the overall masterplan. Centrally located within the heart of the UK, Towcester Park is well positioned for national distribution, approximately 6km south of Junction 15A of the M1 and 25km north of Junction 10 of the M40 Motorway.