UKWA has urged the government to reconsider its direction to remove the ‘no net loss’ requirement on existing industrial land from the London Plan. Writing to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, UKWA CEO Peter Ward acknowledged that the need for new housing in and around London but argued strongly that this should not be at the expense of land for logistics.
“The logistics sector is vital in ensuring not only that London remains economically competitive but also to make sure that its residents and businesses continue to have access to the range of goods and services that they need on a daily basis,” he said. “Ensuring the sector can function efficiently and effectively is a key necessity to the efficient working of the capital’s economy and the well-being of its residents.”
Land for industry and logistics is being lost at three times the anticipated level of release in the previous Mayor’s London Plan – a rate which UKWA believes is harmful and unsustainable.
“It is essential to ensure that London retains the warehousing and logistics capacity it needs to sustain London’s residents and economic growth – which is why ‘no net loss’ is vital for London and the UK economy,” Peter explains. “The current COVID-19 crisis has underlined the importance of delivery and replenishment within highly populated conurbations; our role as the voice of the industry is to ensure government understands the pressures and recognises the importance of safeguarding logistics and warehousing land in London and in other major cities across the UK.”
