Doncaster Sheffield Airport secures logistics facility approval

Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) has received approval from Doncaster Council for the construction of a 3.5 million square feet (325, 160m²) manufacturing and logistics development.

The approval is dependent on a S106 agreement and highway conditions.

The proposed facility will be located within a region that houses Boeing, Rolls Royce and McLaren manufacturing facilities, 20 minutes away from the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.

The project is expected to generate nearly 4,300 jobs. It is part of the airport’s masterplan to boost passenger numbers and become one of the country’s major aviation assets.

The airport is accessible by air and road. In coming years, DSA will also receive direct rail connections to and from East Coast Mainline, as well as a rail freight terminal next to the new logistics site.

DSA is managed by Peel L&P, a regeneration business based in the UK. The Peel Group also manages Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Peel L&P investment property and airports planning director Gareth Finch said: “This decision from Doncaster Council is crucial as the development will unlock delivery of an innovation cluster alongside strategic logistics facilities.

“We’re pleased to see this support for our vision to create a truly multi-modal location, bringing substantial numbers of permanent jobs in high-value sectors adding significantly to Sheffield City Region’s economic productivity.”

In July, DSA revealed plans to construct a £2m solar farm to minimise carbon emissions.

Expected to open in 2020, the solar farm is estimated to generate 25% of the airport’s energy, saving 220t of carbon annually.