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Designing a facility around MHE Unit 1, the largest building in the logistics park, required designing the facility around material handling equipment (MHE) operations, including the high-performance requirements to enable robotic units to operate on the upper floors. Our design maximised the efficiency and throughput of the facility.
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Construction considerations for Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) We liaised with the specialist team to deliver key design principles for the foundation to the ASRS area for Unit 3 and 12, requiring careful consideration. This involved high racking and tightly packed shelving to support greater storage density.
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Supporting sustainable transportation The interchange connects the regional public transport network and the onsite electric powered shuttle bus serving the development. This promotes a sustainable mode of transport for staff to access and commute around the site.
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Dealing with site challenges We collaborated with the tenant at Unit 8 to overcome the significant volumes of vehicles flowing through the site. We utilised their expertise to maximise the facility’s efficiency for site operations and determined the most effective site layout for movement of the vehicles around the site.
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Delivering civil and structural engineering services We supported the construction of the warehouses at Unit 5, 6, 7, 9 and 11, which range from a building footprint of 175,000ft2 to 600,000ft2. We also delivered external site works, including hard standings, car parking, landscaping and drainage.
SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway
We provided civil and structural engineering services to assist SEGRO to deliver over 4.5 million sqft of logistics space over three years. We supported the development of 10 units, which included fulfilment centres, distribution centres, last mile logistics unit and a bus interchange and management suite.
The 700-acre development is in the Midlands, adjacent to East Midlands Airport and is at the heart of the UK’s transport network.
Key details
Project name
SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway
Client
SEGRO plc
Location
Kegworth, Derby, UK
Services provided
- Civil engineering
- Structural engineering
Challenge
Integrating the project within the wider development infrastructure presented a challenge. The earthwork volumes needed balancing to transition from a flat development plateau to the required surface profiles. This included tying into the wider estate finished levels and accounting for arisings from foundations and drainage.
Developing the surface and foul water drainage network on site to satisfy the development requirements was critical to ensure both systems worked efficiently. As well as fulfilling lead local flood authority requirements and integrating the design into the infrastructure.
Among all the key challenges was the site's proximity to East Midlands Airport, the UK's largest dedicated air cargo operation. The design required careful consideration of the building’s shape, location, and proportions to prevent adverse wind shear around the runway and interfering with the wind flow for flying. Preventing glare and reflections from obstructing pilot landings and targeting interference to airport operations due to birds nesting within the development, was also a critical consideration.
Solution
We utilised our expertise in the sector and closely liaised with the infrastructure engineers at BWB to develop the most efficient earthworks solution for the development.
As part of the wider design team, we successfully collaborated with the Design team to generate 3D models and undertake wind shear assessments with industry experts. This helped demonstrate that there was no adverse impact on the airport operations from the development.
Through careful selection of materials, we prevented risks of reflectivity, as well as implementing control measures and thorough detailing to prevent opportunities for nesting locations.
Delivering the individual units
Key statistics
700 acre
development in the Midlands
4,500,000 ft2
of logistics space
10
units supported
Key contacts
Gordon Barnard
Technical Director - Engineering