iPort is officially the largest outstanding commercial development with planning permission in the UK.

The development, which is being delivered by Verdion, the specialist European logistics developer, includes a rail freight terminal served by rail and road, 562,000m² of warehouses and over 100 hectares of ecological enhancements. It will be served by the Finningley and Rossington Regeneration Route Scheme (FARRRS), the new link road from Junction 3 of the M18, which is being coordinated by Doncaster Council.

The massive scale of the development makes it the largest project with planning permission in the UK, ahead of Wirral Waters (an urban redevelopment scheme in Merseyside) and Stratford City (a project to further develop the site of the 2012 Olympic Games in Stratford, London).

Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones said: “The announcement that the iPort development is the largest project with planning permission in the UK speaks volumes about the exciting times that lie ahead for Doncaster.

“This development will play a key role in meeting my promise to bring new jobs to Doncaster. The immense scale of the development emphasises the commitment of both Doncaster Council and its partners Verdion to delivering economic growth in our borough and the wider area.”

For Doncaster and surrounding areas, the benefits of the scheme are copious, fuelling urban regeneration in the former mining area of Rossington as well as leading to job creation and growth in Doncaster. In addition, there are wildlife and ecological benefits to the scheme, with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust receiving land to increase the size of Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, and wetlands planned for the area.

iPort emphasises not only the exciting potential for growth in Doncaster, but also the on-going commitment of Doncaster Council’s planning team to work with investors and developers, like Verdion, to overcome traditional stumbling blocks and ensure that projects and inward investment become realities for the area.

Michael Hughes, CEO of the Port’s developers, Verdion, said: “iPort has taken a number of years to come to fruition due to the complex nature of assembling such a large site. With financial backing in place and huge support locally, planning permission was granted first time.

“The Verdion team is now pushing ahead with marketing of the iPort to potential occupiers, and are confident of the scheme’s success which will provide around 5,000 jobs for the Doncaster area.”