Plans submitted to create £40m logistics hub in Central Belt, creating 500 jobs

Plans have been submitted to build a £40 million logistics hub in Motherwell that would create nearly 500 jobs – tackling an “acute” shortage of such a facility in the area amid the rise of online shopping.

US-headquartered XPO Logistics is behind the bid to create a 300,000-square-foot warehouse for storage and distribution on the site in Newarthill that spans more than 40 acres, with associated offices.

This firm says the facility would be next to its existing transport hub and would serve to address a market-proven requirement for large-scale warehousing in the region, as well as delivering biodiversity-enhancement measures.

XPO Logistics said such a new asset would deliver “significant” economic benefits for the local area, including creating up to 473 direct new jobs, as well as those generated through the construction process and in the wider economy as a result of the investment.

The firm added that the development will serve to address a massive requirement for a large-scale bespoke warehouse building on the M8 corridor, addressing increasing e-commerce demands. “Having carried out extensive market research, there is an acute shortage of warehouse space over 100,000 square feet in this locality,” XPO Logistics said.

Additionally, the aim is for the facility to achieve net-zero carbon for operational energy via creative building design measures and the introduction of low and zero-carbon technologies such as roof-mounted solar panels. According to the plan for the site, only around a third of the development would be occupied by the warehousing facilities and associated built infrastructure, with the rest reserved for biodiversity enhancement measures and improved public access.

A spokesperson for XPO Logistics said: “The exciting development will provide significant benefits to the local community, with this investment of [circa] £40m creating almost 500 net new jobs, delivering a 100 per cent carbon neutral facility, and addressing increasing e-commerce demands.

A CGI image of the proposed facility, which would encompass a 300,000-square-foot warehouse for storage and distribution, with associated offices. Picture: contributed.

"The submission of the planning application follows extensive consultation, and we would like to thank the local community and wider stakeholders for their input into this.”

The firm is also present in Scotland in Grangemouth, while its total global network encompasses 731 locations and about 42,000 staff.