Fully charged: future-proofing industrial & logistics developments 

Industrial and logistics has been one of the most dynamic sectors in property development in the past few years – with the race for space in ‘sheds’ fuelled by the rise of online shopping during the pandemic and the demand for last mile delivery hubs. 

Far from being just the functional wind and watertight ‘boxes’ of old, says Marcus Phayer, Associate Director, Industrial and Logistics, these new warehouses are often an occupier’s flagship HQ at the cutting edge of commercial real estate with many sustainable qualities, driving forward the low carbon/Net Zero agenda with highly efficient building fabric and offering  electric vehicle (EV) charging points that utilise the power from solar panels on the building’s roof space. 

The push for electric vehicle charging 

With the forthcoming ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles already meaning charging for personal EVs is an important provision, there is also the need to transition the almost half a million HGVs already on the UK’s roads to greener fuels. The UK Government last year confirmed that all new heavy goods vehicles with be zero-emission by 2040. Both these factors mean EV charging is becoming integral to business operations for many occupiers within the industrial and logistics sector.  

Furthermore, with the majority of UK regions having declared a climate emergency, Local Planning Authorities up and down the country are often obligating developers to install EV chargers to serve a percentage of the car parking spaces.  

Such is the weight of demand from investors and occupiers for developments with strong underlying ESG credentials, that developers are typically looking to future-proof all parking areas with the ducting infrastructure in order to expedite a much higher number of installations as required.  

This is not only applicable to the car parking spaces, but also within the yard compounds, with many parcel operators and other businesses well on the way with the electrification of their fleet of delivery vehicles ranging from vans, LGVs and soon HGVs too, ahead of regulations. It is no mean feat given the number of larger vehicles on the road covering 10 billion miles per year and transporting everything from fresh food to clothing. These vehicles are central to Britain’s supply chains, helping feed the population and power growth. 

How are the charging points powered? 

ESG has become top of the agenda, not only for us as a developer, but also for investment partners and many of the occupiers and operators that we collaborate with. 

As detailed above, the demand for EV charging is on a steady upward trajectory which means that development sites will be looking to draw upon more power per sq. ft of floorspace than in previous years. At the moment, grid capacity and connectivity can be a real sticking point for bringing forward development and being able to meet demand for charging. 

Photovoltaic (PV) panels, more commonly known as solar panels, are becoming key to meeting demands for more onsite renewable energy sources. They tend to be the solution of choice due to ease of installation when incorporated into planned roof space or as part of a retrofit project. 

According to a recent report by the UK Warehousing Association, if even a third of all warehouse roof space was covered by solar panels, the UK would double its total output. The National Grid also states that this level of output alone would fully meet the UK’s target for 2030. Solar panels are easy to install and Godwin is making them integral to our logistics and distribution developments going forward. 

As a forward-thinking property developer we are working closely with stakeholders across the development cycle including landowners, investors and occupiers to bring forward warehouses of the future, across the UK. Our team has strong experience across the real estate development cycle with in-house planning, project management and construction expertise and access to our own sources of development finance. 

How we can work together 

Get in touch if you have land for sale and would like to discuss how we can work together. We can buy property or land, with or without planning from a minimum of five acres. To discuss your options confidentially and with no obligation, send an email to [email protected].