GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, has announced that it is starting construction on 1 million sq ft of warehouse space across seven units and four sites in Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes, following the grant of planning permission. It is the largest programme of speculative logistics real estate development currently underway in the UK.
The development programme has been launched to satisfy the significant demand in an increasingly supply-constrained logistics real estate market in the UK. It follows GLP’s completion of 1.25 million sq ft of speculative development at Magna Park South, Lutterworth in December 2020.
Demand for larger warehouses has significantly expanded in recent years, particularly among e-commerce occupiers in need of more storage space. According to Savills, online sales in December 2020 were 51% higher year-on-year, with this growth trajectory expected to continue. As a result, warehouse take-up was 50.1 million sq ft in 2020 – by far the strongest year on record.
As part of the programme, GLP is developing the following units:
- Three distribution units of 126,000 sq ft, 161,000 sq ft and 249,000 sq ft at G-Park Bedford Wixams
- A 133,000 sq ft unit at G-Park Northampton, within the Moulton Park Estate
- Two units comprising 117,000 and 140,000 sq ft at its new G-Park Milton Keynes development
- A 88,000 sq ft unit, Magnitude 88, at GLP’s flagship logistics park Magna Park Milton Keynes
The developments are expected to be available for occupancy in Summer 2021, while Magnitude 88 will be available at the end of Q1 2021.
As part GLP’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, the sites will all benefit from a range of leading sustainability features including rainwater harvesting, energy monitoring, LED lighting technology and reduced embodied carbon in the construction process.
Bruce Topley, Managing Director, GLP UK, said: “The growth of ecommerce in the UK has been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic given the increased importance of home deliveries. As a result, we have seen a surge in demand for logistics real estate in the right locations. Customers are also seeking to reinforce their supply chains and increasingly require higher specification buildings and cutting-edge sustainability credentials. In response to this, we are excited to be bringing 1 million sq ft of high-quality logistics space to the market which reaffirms our confidence in the continued strength of the UK and follows the completion of over 1.5 million sq ft of speculative development last year.
“All developments are in carefully selected locations with excellent transport links to key areas of the UK. Each unit will be developed with flexibility at the forefront of both the design and construction processes, enabling customers to tailor the space to individual requirements. We look forward to discussions with new and existing customers, working alongside them to meet their specific operational requirements and helping them grow their business.”
