Gateshead industrial and logistics development enters building phase

Enabling works at Gateshead’s Follingsby MAX development have reached practical completion with tenant builds due to begin.

Developer Highgrove Group has worked alongside contractor GMI to develop the industrial and logistics site, with the aim of attracting businesses from across the region.

The firm’s delivered the initial phase of the development in 45 weeks in order to meet the scheduled completion date. GMI construction director, Martin Watson, explained: “To achieve construction of such a large scale development site, the team had to overcome a number of challenges on such a large site along the way.

“All of them had the potential to push completion further and further past the end date, but the GMI team with our supply chain and Highgrove Group team pulled together in a genuine one team approach to address each and every one of those challenges to prevent potential delays from happening.”

As well as the enabling works, the firms have developed a wildlife and conservation area on site, planting over 2000 trees, 10 thousand plants and wild grasses plus an additional 30 acres of wetland and nature ponds.

Dave Price, operations director at Highgrove Group, commented: “We are delighted to reach what is a milestone for this project and also a great milestone for Follingsby MAX. The site at Follingsby has not only reached practical completion, it is also one of the first in the North East leading the way on conservation and sustainability.

“GMI have shown commitment alongside our team to realise the potential of the conservation area and the wider impact this will have on the environment and wildlife. We hope Follingsby MAX will set a benchmark for all future developments in and around the area and the importance of environmental conservation.”