Industrial and logistics park developer Panattoni is behind the £900m plan that will see the vast old car plant demolished to make way for 7.2m sq ft of logistics and manufacturing space.

Demolition work has just got underway on what is one of the UK’s largest brownfield sites.

The site benefits from detailed planning consent for a single unit of 1.25 m sq ft and outline planning permission for the whole park.

Winvic will deliver sitewide ground contamination investigations and the demolition of four main existing structures, working with specialist AR Demolition.

These include a research and development building, an engine plant, two car plants and 12 ancillary buildings with all existing hardstandings, foundations and slabs crushed and reused on site

The vast enabling works package is due to complete in January 2025.

Winvic will also be managing the existing substation on the site, through subcontractor PW Group.

The ground assessments will comprise samples being taken up to 8m below ground level in 22 locations across the site, where demolition is required before appraisals can be undertaken; for example, where diesel and petroleum has been previously stored.

Wider infrastructure works will follow the demolition and ground investigations, forming plateaus for the first 7 of 11 net zero carbon buildings offering advanced industrial space, fit for logistics, manufacturing and data centre uses.

Danny Nelson, Winvic’s Director of Industrial, Distribution and Logistics, said: “We’re delighted to have been selected for the first phase of Panattoni Park Swindon based on our expertise in specialist and complex demolition and delivery of industrial and logistics parks of this scale.”