Delivering a high‑quality logistics hub through strategic planning insight
We were appointed by Tungsten Properties, one of the UK’s leading industrial and logistics developers, to lead the planning strategy for a strategic employment site adjacent to Junction 20 of the M1.
The site – a 2.22 ha agricultural field – was unallocated and sat outside Lutterworth’s defined development boundary. Despite this, we identified its potential to meet clear economic and employment needs in a location with exceptional accessibility and connectivity.
Location: Junction 20, M1, Lutterworth
Client: Tungsten Properties
Service: Planning
Sector: Commercial, Industrial and Logistics
Scale: 129,012 sq ft (warehouse + office)
Project team: Brian Mullin
Through positive pre‑application engagement with the local planning authority and local community, we prepared a robust planning case demonstrating that:
- The proposal would support economic growth in a sustainable location.
- The site offered excellent access to Lutterworth and the national motorway network.
- The economic benefits outweighed landscape impacts, which could be mitigated through design and screening.
The planning authority accepted this reasoning and granted outline planning permission for 11,000 sq ft of B1 office space in April 2015.
Realising a larger commercial opportunity
Following the successful planning outcome, Tungsten Properties refined the scheme and delivered a significantly enhanced final development. Completed around 2018, the project – now branded M1 Access – comprises:
- 129,012 sq ft of total floorspace
- 115,979 sq ft of warehouse space
- 13,033 sq ft of modern office accommodation
The building was developed to a Grade‑A specification, including a 12.5m clear internal haunch, high‑quality façade design, secure servicing areas, EV charging and modern energy‑efficient systems. Its prominent positioning offers excellent visibility from the M1, and its location places it within the Midlands’ Golden Triangle, one of the UK’s premier logistics hubs.
Commercial listings subsequently marketed the development as a prime logistics opportunity at A4303, Lutterworth, reinforcing its strategic appeal.
A successful collaboration enabling long‑term economic benefit
This project demonstrates our ability to unlock the potential of unallocated land through robust planning justification and early stakeholder engagement. By securing outline permission for Tungsten Properties, we enabled the delivery of a significant commercial asset that now:
- Strengthens Lutterworth’s employment offer
- Delivers high‑quality logistics and office space
- Capitalises on strategic motorway access at M1 J20
- Supports regional economic growth
The M1 Access scheme is now fully constructed, operational, and positioned as a top‑tier logistics location in the Midlands.
