Urban logistics a vital component of town centre regeneration

Town centres must embrace urban logistics facilities like warehousing, fulfilment centres and last mile delivery hubs, for the successful regeneration and operation of high streets, according to planning and development consultancy Turley.

It says that the government’s recently released Build Back Better High Streets strategy fails to mention urban logistics.

Andrea Arnall, Director at Turley, says: “The government’s planning policies seem to be ignoring the rapid and consistent rise of online shopping we’re seeing. Consumer habits are changing and our planning policies need to reflect that.”

“Demand for urban logistics is growing and is outstripping supply, yet our planning system continues to say logistics isn’t a town centre use – this view is outdated and needs to change.”

Responding to market challenges flexibly and pragmatically is critical for the #FutureOfTownCentres. Our recent success for Southampton’s Bargate Shopping Centre is a prime example of taking a fresh approach to meet changing need.

Find out more: https://t.co/9iSLdnftGR #planning pic.twitter.com/kZcbePktfZ
— Turley (@turleyplanning) August 16, 2021

Turley recommends that struggling edge of centre retail parks, under utilised car parks or vacant shops outside of the retail core could pave the way for successful warehouse and last mile distribution centres.

This could also help reduce traffic in urban centres by encouraging greener modes for delivery such as bicycles or electric vehicles.

Meanwhile, smaller town centre development sites or premises could be used for hubs for Click and Collect, storage and parcel consolidation opportunities.

Incorporating urban logistics facilities in mixed-use spaces could also help local authorities meet demand for last mile hubs. “Co-location” schemes, where residential units sit above warehouses and logistics hubs, are becoming more common in London and could expand to other UK cities.

Arnall says: “Logistics has a pretty poor image within communities. People think of logistics development as large shed like buildings, but that isn’t the case with the right designs. And more supportive planning policies would expedite growth in the sector and act as a catalyst for regeneration.”

“Encouraging mixed use spaces within town centres could see our under used multi-storey car parks be transformed into flexible warehousing facilities with accessible green spaces on the roof, for instance.”

“While we’re already seeing hints of this in London, we need to be adopting this right across the UK.”

Featured