Logistics UK says the government’s announcement on freeing up “grey belt” sites for building more homes is encouraging news, but does not address the fact that these homes will need to have access to all the logistics that we take for granted in our everyday lives.
In replying to the statement made by Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, Logistics UK’s Policy Director Kevin Green said: “New homes need shops, schools, hospitals and more and all of these facilities need to be serviced effectively by a logistics network in close proximity to its end users.
“Logistics underpins every sector of the UK’s economy and is vital to driving future growth – investment in it, and the infrastructure it needs, can support the government’s ambitions for growth. Logistics UK is urging the government to consider the everyday needs of the sector as part of the planning and construction process, to allocate sufficient space for logistics facilities and ensure that the needs of the sector are included as an integral part of any planning process.
“The UK’s planning process has been too slow and too complex for too long, and the reforms announced by Ms Rayner to streamline the system and make it easier to achieve planning approval is welcomed by logistics businesses aiming to build facilities to support consumer and business needs. “Our members look forward to engaging with the government on the forthcoming consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework to ensure that the final plans take into account the needs of our industry, which supports every part of the economy.”
