DLG Architects - Appointment Development - Leeds

Date: 01 May 2008

The Leeds office of national architectural practice DLG Architects has been retained by Arla Foods UK Plc to progress detailed designs for the latest phases to complete its Stourton dairy in South Leeds. This appointment comes on the back of DLG successfully completing the second phase £80 million extension at this state of the art dairy in 2005.

Arla Foods' Stourton dairy which is situated on Pontefract Road, is Europe's most technologically advanced milk processing facility and home to the world's largest fresh milk four-pint weigh filler. Stourton also boasts full product traceability, leading technology and hi-tech production lines. The latest phases of development which will include an extension to the existing buildings onsite and provide additional production facilities over three levels totaling 153,000 sq ft of new accommodation.

DLG submitted a planning application to Leeds City Council in March for the extension that will house new processing facilities as well as cold storage provisions, staff accommodation and a new Research & Development resource. The application also includes an additional twelve silos, an update of the approved effluent treatment plant on site and extending the car parking provision by a further 88 space to make a total of 306 spaces.

The extension to the existing building is to be completed by DLG in a similar manner to the original plans, with identical detailing wall cladding, gutters and roofs. DLG has also made sure that a full assessment of vehicle journeys has been undertaken to assess staff arriving by public transport and staff on foot/bicycle, which was carried out by Savell Bird Axon.

Julian Monaghan, Senior Partner at DLG Architects comments: "We are delighted to be retained by Arla to complete the final phases of development at this technologically advanced dairy. After completing the second phase in 2005 we now have an excellent knowledge of the site and the constrictions and hygiene measures associated with working within a fully functioning dairy."

Once the planning application is approved then work will start on site as early as July with completion expected in October 2009.

DLG has developed a particular expertise in acting for owner occupiers of industrial property as well as funds and developers. In particular in the food industry where DLG understands how vital it is to maintain production throughout the installation of new facilities to accommodate storage and manufacturing processes. Over the past couple of years DLG has completed a series of building at nationwide locations for Walkers Snack Food and Nestle as well as Arla Foods.

Arla Foods' Stourton dairy