The project
The regeneration of the former Marley Works offers a once in a generation opportunity to bring the site back to life. Today, this once proud site no longer employs anyone or contributes to the local economy or community.
The project is designed to:
The parameter plan
The Panattoni project team has mapped and measured the site in detail and prepared a parameter plan which reflects the existing development already there, and what could be delivered in the future. It has been designed around the needs of the industry, the community and environment, with a strong aspiration to deliver sustainable economic growth for Maidstone.
The site today
At 70-acres in size, it sits vacant, a victim of changes in the industry it once proudly served and now requires redevelopment. It is the largest brownfield employment site in the borough. The buildings are at the end of their life and need full redevelopment.
Current combined employment space footprint
Open space
Site size
The plans in brief
Following this period of public consultation, the intention is to bring forward a planning application that will establish the principle of redeveloping the site for flexible industrial uses, as well as manufacturing, distribution and warehousing.
Preparing the site for modern employment uses
Panattoni’s knowledge of these sectors means we design schemes that match the needs of our customers and to best utilise the site, creating new employment opportunities for people in Kent in the most sustainable way.
Firstly, the current buildings on the site are outdated and do not adequately support the requirements of contemporary employment uses. Panattoni would demolish the existing buildings and remediate the site - at Marley Works we’ll remove the current tarmac, crush it and re-use it.
Re-using materials and reducing construction impact
At the Marley Works, the recycled material will be used to create new platforms for the buildings and internal road layouts. This will save a significant number of lorry movements during the construction process.
At Aylesford we:
Recycled 125,000m3 of concrete
Saved 110,000 miles by HGVs on Kent’s roads
Saved 150,000 tonnes of CO2
The recycled material will be used to create new platforms for the buildings and road layouts. This will save a significant number of lorry movements during the construction process.
Delivering flexible commercial floorspace
The regeneration of Marley Works would provide modern commercial floorspace for general industrial, storage and distribution businesses, and/or light industrial uses, alongside ancillary office space and associated access, servicing, parking and landscaping. The buildings would be supported by a main estate road, with landscaping and drainage.
Designing to the highest environmental standards
We will design the buildings to be best in class for their environmental and energy performance. The latest green technologies, including Electric Vehicle Charging, Rainwater Harvesting Photovoltaics and Air Source Heat Pumps, will be integrated. As a result, we are confident we will achieve the building industry’s BREEAM ‘outstanding' standard, and have an EPC rating of A.
Access and traffic management
The site will continue to be accessed via Dickley Lane.
In conjunction with Kent County Council, a full Traffic Assessment will be carried out to assess the impact of the development on the local infrastructure and any potential road improvements identified will be addressed as part of the proposed redevelopment. In preparing a Transport Assessment, Panattoni will consider:
Vehicular access
Walking and cycling
Public Transport
Parking
Traffic movements
The proposed buildings
With the site now under Panattoni’s sole ownership there is the opportunity to comprehensively redevelop it to provide a sustainable modern outcome. It has the potential to provide a mix of commercial buildings that will attract a broad range of businesses to the area.
The result would be a mix of prime, modern, sustainable and attractive commercial and industrial buildings in an allocated employment site within the Borough of Maidstone.
Modern commercial buildings
Flexible use classes
Landscaped estate road
Allocated employment site
Best in class
Photovoltaic panels on the roof will be installed to support carbon neutral in operation of the buildings. Our Aylesford and Sittingbourne sites have proven to be pioneering in sustainability; where our buildings at the sites can generate a combined 8MWp of solar energy, which helps occupiers reduce their carbon emissions. This site will further build on that sustainability strategy, and be carbon neutral in construction and operation. The development will integrate:
Air-source heat pumps
High levels of insulation
Rainwater harvesting
Energy efficient lighting
Active utility resources monitoring
Electric vehicle charging
Attracting new jobs
The proposed mix of commercial and industrial uses will result in significant inward investment in the borough. At its peak the Marley Works employed around 2,000 local people. The ambition of the redevelopment is to return this employment benefit back to the region.
The redevelopment of Panattoni Park Aylesford supported 38 apprenticeships. Panattoni is committed to working with training providers and Further Education Colleges, matching them with occupiers and supply chains to support their workforce development needs.
How will the site operate?
In keeping with the blend of historical uses, Panattoni intend to offer incoming occupiers the benefit of flexible planning use classes, allowing for a range of manufacturing, light engineering, food production, logistics and distribution. The site is allocated for employment and 24hr working.
Regional occupier demand
News of Panattoni’s purchase of the site last year generated a high-level of interest from potential occupiers. Given Panattoni’s position in the marketplace we are always talking to the occupiers about our developments. We are excited about the types of companies that the development could attract and retain in Kent.