Since this Expert Panel was set up in 2021 the industrial and logistics sector has transformed significantly. The panel was set up as the pandemic was ending and the sector was having its moment in the spotlight – with the rise of last mile logistics and multi let typologies as well as multi storey being added to mix London has had to start thinking of innovative way in which to accommodate growing and changing requirements for this sector.   

This year, as a panel, we wanted to focus in on this to understand how London is responding spatially but also linking that in with real time market demands. To do this we concentrated on the following topics: 

1. Occupier demands and challenges 

2. Industrial Masterplans 

3. London’s networks 

In relation to occupier demands we zoned in on agency views from JLL and Savills in terms of occupation from potential operators at pre-let and built stages of construction and how this marries up with how we are designing our industrial typologies and where.  These real time views on currently being planned and built schemes will form a thought-leadership piece which will further inform how the NLA can think about how to influence the way in which should be responding to policy consultations in the Capital, including the drafting of the upcoming New London Plan. 

Similarly, the deeper dive into currently drafted or adopted Industrial Masterplans has aided us in being able to look at ‘best practice’ in the Capital.  Some of these include the Blackhorse Road Masterplan in London Borough of Waltham Forest as well as the SEGRO Hayes Masterplan in Hillingdon.  

Finally, the networks piece began in 2021 when the Panel first begun and has evolved significantly with it’s main purpose of the Panel being able to understand the main routes in London via road, rail and water and how the main nodes on each are being optimised to their fullest potential for the placement of logistics hubs and industrial warehousing to ensure the Capital is being serviced efficiently and planned robustly by the Boroughs. Specifically this year we have looked in further detail at staff travel to potential hubs and mapped out the catchment of a selection of the busiest stations with regional links.  This map will evolve further next year with the aim of being an interactive tool for both policy makers and investors.  

As a Panel we have discussed taking all these topics and furthering them in 2026 to be able to confidently inform policy, in particular being able to make representations to the emerging New London Plan as well as be able to work with borough and investors to aid in ensuring that policy is keeping up the ever changing market requirements of this sector.