The Mayor of the East Midlands has backed a new development in Nottinghamshire which is set to create up to 4,000 jobs.
Property and construction specialist Caddick has been granted planning permission for EM.EX Worksop, which it describes as “one of the most significant recent industrial and logistics developments to come forward in the East Midlands”.
The 300-acre employment project, approved at the latest meeting of Bassetlaw District Council‘s planning committee, will deliver up to 4.5 million sq feet at ground level.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “The news of up to 4,000 extra jobs coming to Worksop is a welcome step forward for our region.
“Distribution hubs are a key driver of the East Midlands economy and this scheme will further strengthen our position as a leading logistics corridor.
“I look forward to watching this progress over the next couple of years as it supports my goal to make our region the best place to live, work and learn.”
Located east of Worksop on the Apleyhead junction of the A1, the site links to the M1 along the A57, so is ideally positioned to support strong connectivity to both national and regional distribution networks. Caddick said the scheme will contribute £175m in Gross Value Added (GVA) and £11.5m in business rates annually, once fully operational.
Phase 1 will see Caddick deliver enabling infrastructure for the scheme and a fully serviced and ready development plot. The decision includes detailed consent for a multi-level unit totalling about 2m sq feet for a known occupier.
It will mark the first significant step in bringing the scheme to life, with the initial phase alone expected to create hundreds of high-quality jobs in logistics, operations, and support services when it comes forward.
In addition to Phase 1, outline planning permission has been approved for the remaining phases of the EM.EX site. These future developments will accommodate an additional footprint of up to 4m sq feet of ground level industrial and logistics space and create up to 4,000 jobs across the full development.
The overall scheme has been designed as a modern, flexible business park, integrating multiple large-scale industrial and logistics units with sustainable travel infrastructure and excellent transport links.
Construction on Phase 1 is expected to begin in 2026, with staged development continuing over the years to come. The wider masterplan will bring forward a mix of unit sizes to suit a range of business needs, ensuring the site remains adaptable to evolving industrial trends.
Chris Procter, Director at Caddick, said: “Following many years of close collaboration with the local authority, it’s fantastic news that we now have a detailed consent for EM.EX Worksop, accompanied by a market-facing outline.
“This decision gives us the opportunity to start looking ahead to future phases of development and to realise the long-term vision for EM.EX Worksop. Through our ongoing investment in the area, we’re unlocking significant employment opportunities through the creation of a next-generation logistics hub.
“The scheme’s in-built flexibility and excellent location make it attractive to a range of national and international businesses, and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with Bassetlaw District Council and other key stakeholders to cement Bassetlaw’s standing as a key player in the UK’s industrial and logistics sector.”
Sally Gillborn, Chief Executive of North Notts BID, said: “EM.EX Worksop is an exciting prospect for Bassetlaw, bringing increased investment to the district and the wider region from industrial and logistics businesses. By creating hundreds of high-quality jobs, it will strengthen Bassetlaw’s reputation as a strategic hub for industry, innovation and logistics, and deliver lasting economic benefits for local businesses and communities.”
Caddick says the new name EM.EX, which is an abbreviation of East Midlands Exchange, definitively locates the project in the region, while also playing on the term ‘exchange’, in relation to both goods and services, as well as the highway interchanges close by.
EM.EX Worksop is part of a conscious initiative to consolidate the town’s position as an industrial and logistics centre of excellence located at the heart of England’s motorway network. Already the chosen location for Laing O’Rourke’s massive new manufacturing hub at Explore Park – one of EMCCA’s three key strategic investment zones – Worksop also hosts major national distribution centres for DHL and B&Q.
For more information about EM.EX Worksop, visit: http://emexworksop.co.uk.
Published on: 18 December 2025
Categories: News, Economic Development