UK's Greenest Light-Industrial Park Underway in Cheadle

Work has commenced on the Cheadle Eco Park, a ground breaking £25 million development poised to become one of the UK’s most sustainable light-industrial parks. Located in Cheadle Heath, Stockport, the project aims to set new benchmarks in environmental performance for industrial buildings.

Key Takeaways

The Cheadle Eco Park is designed to achieve BREEAM Outstanding certification, placing it in the top 1% of UK non-residential buildings for sustainability.
It will be the UK’s largest purpose-built industrial and logistics development to feature a structure made entirely from sustainably sourced timber.
The project is supported by a £4.4 million grant from the government’s Town Fund and is slated for completion in March 2027.

A New Standard in Sustainable Industrial Development

Caddick Construction has officially begun work on the Cheadle Eco Park, a significant industrial development for Stockport Council. The seven-acre site will feature six light industrial units, ranging from 8,374 sq ft to 43,800 sq ft, collectively spanning 115,000 sq ft. These new units will replace older industrial buildings on the site.

The park’s design, by AEW Architects, prioritises exceptional environmental standards. It is engineered to achieve Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) Outstanding certification, a testament to its commitment to sustainability. This places Cheadle Eco Park among the top 1% of non-residential buildings in the UK for environmental performance.

Innovative Green Technologies

Sustainability is at the core of the Cheadle Eco Park’s design. The development will incorporate advanced technologies such as air source heat pumps, natural ventilation systems, and smart, energy-efficient lighting. These features are intended to help the park achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A, signifying maximum energy efficiency.

A key distinguishing feature of the Cheadle Eco Park is its construction material. It is set to be the UK’s largest purpose-built industrial and logistics development utilising a structure constructed entirely from sustainably sourced timber. This choice over traditional steel frames significantly reduces embodied carbon, a critical factor in mitigating the environmental impact of construction.

Investment and Future Outlook

The scheme, which benefits from a £4.4 million grant from the government’s Town Fund, is scheduled for completion in March 2027. Network Space Developments is managing the project on behalf of Stockport Council, the landowner.

David Saville, northwest managing director at Caddick Construction, highlighted the project’s importance, stating, “Breaking ground at Cheadle Eco Park marks a hugely important moment not just for Stockport, but for the future of sustainable industrial development across the region.” He added that the company is proud to be delivering “one of the UK’s greenest industrial parks, built to exceptional environmental standards and designed to support the next generation of low-carbon businesses.”

Brian Bradley, chair of the Cheadle Towns Fund Board, echoed this sentiment, calling the start of work “a major step forward in delivering one of the UK’s most advanced and environmentally ambitious light industrial developments.” He emphasised the scheme’s role in investing in Cheadle’s economic future, promising high-quality jobs, support for clean growth industries, and the creation of a modern, sustainable employment destination.