Plans for 340,000 sq ft Heathrow logistics scheme take flight

Oxford Properties Group and Logistics Capital Partners have secured planning permission to develop around 340,000 sq ft of sustainable logistics space on a 15-acre brownfield site next to Heathrow Airport. The space will be developed across two facilities measuring 200,000 sq ft and 140,000 sq ft. Oxford and LCP are aiming to achieve net-zero carbon in construction and operation. The duo is targeting EPC A+, BREEAM Excellent and WELL Gold Standard certifications. Located next to Cranebank Natural Reserve, the scheme will also offer access to parks, water meadows and wildlife. Excluding employment during the construction phases, the project is estimated to create between 500 and 1,000 new jobs when operational. It will also seek to provide local schools and young people with training and apprenticeship opportunities. Oxford and LCP bought the site in 2020 from British Airways, which had been its owner-occupier for over 50 years, and latterly used it as a training facility. The two companies cited an “acute” shortage of supply of high-quality logistics space in the well-established logistics hubs around Heathrow. Oxford Properties head of development at Robin Everall said: “Logistics remains a key sector for us given its strong income profile and robust occupier demand as a result of continued structural tailwinds – urbanisation, growth of e-commerce and a focus on onshoring and the strengthening of supply chains as a result of the long-term impact of the pandemic, as well as the broader political and economic macro environment. “This planning permission allows us to bring forward, with LCP, much needed environmentally sustainable logistics space in a prime supply-constrained location, that we have designed to help occupiers reduce their carbon footprint and benefit from technologically advanced features that will improve their operations.” John Pagdin, UK head at LCP, said the scheme “represents the introduction of a much-needed high quality asset to the Heathrow and West London markets, setting new standards of sustainability and occupational efficiency”. Pagdin said: “We have already had positive discussions with active occupiers and look forward to progressing these as the scheme develops.” See more planning decisions in London Borough of Hillingdon >> Image © Chetwoods