“In the face of increased demand, landlords may look at the possibility of two storey warehouse units again, but the industry was slow to take to SEGRO’s X2. Another possibility is creating warehouse space underground, such as what is being planned at Rectory Park in Hounslow, but the costs are significant and the market appetite for this type of space hasn’t yet been tested.
“We need to find a way to ease the development pipeline pressures and I urge local councils and planners to work closely with our industry to deliver a smart and strategic industrial development plan around Heathrow. Not least, a reassessment of the considerable amount of green belt land around the airport that is under council jurisdiction, which has strong potential to be converted for industrial use.”