On 14 October 2013 work officially started on site to build the Finningley and Rossington Regeneration Route Scheme (FARRRS) link road that will enable Verdion’s £400 million Inland Port scheme to commence.

Inland Port (iPort) is a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) which will deliver over 6 million sq ft (570,000 sq m) of Grade A logistics warehousing linked with a high specification rail freight intermodal container facility providing rail freight services with Continental gauge clearance to all major UK ports and the Channel Tunnel.

Logistics developer and investor Verdion, with backing from its funding partner the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), is developing the scheme on a 700 acre (283 hectare) site in Rossington, Doncaster. Enabling works will commence in November this year.

Planning permission was secured for iPort in July 2011. The current proposals are for six large footprint buildings from 1 million sq ft (92,900 sq m) each with high bay facilities of up to 35 metres permitted.

Michael Hughes, CEO of Verdion, comments: “This is a tremendously exciting project for us and for the Doncaster region. Doncaster has been acknowledged for some years now as a premier central UK location for the distribution business. Labour supply, proximity to the UK ports and good road connectivity has made it the place of choice for many major companies, including IKEA, BMW, NEXT & B&Q.

“This Strategic Rail Freight Interchange will offer the very best in UK and European logistics design and building quality, with buildings available for occupation from as early as Q1 2015.”

Sustainability is integral to the development, with 300 acres set aside for mitigation, wildlife conservation and landscape betterment. Buildings will be designed to maximise energy efficiency and use renewable, reclaimed and recycled materials wherever possible. Logistics Buildings will achieve BREEAM Very Good accreditation and Excellent accreditation for their office facilities.