Policy E4 — Land for industry, logistics and services to support London’s economic function

Policy E4 Land for industry, logistics and services to support London’s economic function A A sufficient supply of land and premises in different parts of London to meet current and future demands for industrial and related functions should be provided and maintained, taking into account strategic and local employment land reviews, industrial land audits and the potential for intensification, co-location and substitution (see Policy E7 Industrial intensification, co-location and substitution ). This should make provision for the varied operational requirements of: 1) light and general industry (Use Classes B1c and B2) 2) storage and logistics/distribution (Use Class B8) including ‘last mile’ distribution close to central London and the Northern Isle of Dogs, consolidation centres and collection points 3) secondary materials, waste management and aggregates 4) utilities infrastructure (such as energy and water) 5) land for sustainable transport functions including intermodal freight interchanges, rail and bus infrastructure 6) wholesale markets 7) emerging industrial-related sectors 8) flexible (B1c/B2/B8) hybrid space to accommodate services that support the wider London economy and population 9) low-cost industrial and related space for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (see also Policy E2 Providing suitable business space ) 10) research and development of industrial and related products or processes (falling within Use Class B1b). B London’s land and premises for industry, logistics and services falls into three categories: 1) Strategic Industrial Locations (SIL) – see Policy E5 Strategic Industrial Locations (SIL) 2) Locally Significant Industrial Sites (LSIS) - see Policy E6 Locally Significant Industrial Sites 3) Non-Designated Industrial Sites [103] - see Part C of Policy E7 Industrial intensification, co-location and substitution . C The retention, enhancement and provision of additional industrial capacity across the three categories of industrial land set out in Part B should be planned, monitored and managed. Any release of industrial land in order to manage issues of long-term vacancy and to achieve wider planning objectives, including the delivery of strategic infrastructure, should be facilitated through the processes of industrial intensification, co-location and substitution set out in Policy E7 Industrial intensification, co-location and substitution and supported by Policy E5 Strategic Industrial Locations (SIL) . D The retention, enhancement and provision of additional industrial capacity should be prioritised in locations that: 1) are accessible to the strategic road network and/or have potential for the transport of goods by rail and/or water transport 2) provide capacity for logistics, waste management, emerging industrial sectors or essential industrial-related services that support London’s economy and population 3) provide capacity for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises 4) are suitable for ‘last mile’ distribution services to support large-scale residential or mixed-use developments subject to existing provision 5) support access to supply chains and local employment in industrial and related activities. E Any release of industrial capacity in line with Part C should be focused in locations that are (or are planned to be) well-connected by public transport, walking and cycling and contribute to other planning priorities including housing (and particularly affordable housing), schools and other infrastructure. F Efficient wholesale market functions should be retained to meet London’s requirements whilst enabling opportunities to consolidate composite wholesale markets to meet long-term wholesaling needs. G Boroughs should ensure that the need to retain sufficient industrial and logistics capacity is not undermined by permitted development rights by introducing Article 4 Directions where appropriate. 6.4.1 London depends on a wide range of industrial, logistics and related uses that are essential to the functioning of its economy and for servicing the needs of its growing population, as well as contributing towards employment opportunities for Londoners. This includes a diverse range of activities such as food and drink preparation, creative industry production and maker spaces, vehicle maintenance and repair, building trades, construction, waste management including recycling, transport functions, utilities infrastructure, emerging activities (such as data centres, renewable energy generation and clean technology) and an efficient storage and distribution system which can respond to business and consumer demands [104] . 6.4.2 Wholesale markets have historically played an important role in London’s economy distributing fresh products to retailers, restaurants and street markets across the capital. Their future role is affected by competition from alternative distribution systems but they are also taking advantage of trends towards increased eating out and are supplying a range of products to London’s diverse communities. This Plan continues to recognise their role whilst enabling opportunities to consolidate composite wholesale markets to meet long-term wholesaling needs. 6.4.3 Industrial land and floorspace provides the capacity for the activities described above to operate effectively. In 2015, London had an estimated 6,976 hectares [105] of land in industrial and related uses of which about 50 per cent was within SILs, a further 14 per cent was in LSIS designated by boroughs and the remaining 36 per cent was in Non-Designated Industrial Sites which are not designated in Local Plan policies maps. 6.4.4 Over the period 2001 to 2015, more than 1,300 hectares of industrial land (including SILs, LSIS and Non-Designated Industrial Sites) was released to other uses . This was well in excess of previously established London Plan monitoring benchmarks. [106] Research for the GLA indicates that there will be positive net demand for industrial land in London London Plan Policy E4 · official source →