Plans for a 51,000 sq ft scheme in Lancaster are in the works with another two developments in Horwich and Northwich also planned as the developer eyes a £150m self-storage portfolio by 2030.
WUKPG has submitted plans to deliver 475 drive-up self-storage units on a former Travis Perkins site off New Quay Road in Lancaster. The developer acquired the site from the builders’ merchant for £1.1m last year.
The scheme is WUKPG’s first foray into the self-storage sector and will provide units ranging from 50 sq ft to 300 sq ft to be managed by the developer’s in-house Shutter Store brand.
They will be built to “institutional standards” incorporating proptech such as Noké key access systems, as well as ANPR, CCTV, EV charging, solar panels and Stora booking systems.
The Horwich and Northwich sites will feature five-storey self-storage buildings comprising a total of 900 units as well as drive-thru cafes.
C4 Architects is leading on the design of all three schemes. HK Planning is advising WUKPG on planning and XO Square is the civil and structural engineer.
Oliver Lipson, managing director at WUKPG, said: “As institutional funds continue to diversify into operational real estate, they’re keen to invest into sustainable, efficient self-storage facilities as a sector with growing demand in the UK and USA.
“There has been a boom in SME businesses and the general domestic market that require additional, quality designed and built storage space.”
On the company’s in-house self-storage brand, Lipson said: “Shutter Store will focus on bringing people and local communities together through its on-site business hubs, bespoke app, and business support and network events, all included for tenants at our nationwide facilities.
“This is an evolving sector that we intend to disrupt to become a market leader with a target operational UK self-storage portfolio GDV of £150m by 2030.”
