Key experts and stakeholders highlighted the new industrial and logistics sites coming onto the market in Croydon and how these can help lead the sustainability agenda in the borough and set the example for other hubs.
The opportunities were discussed during the Develop Croydon Sustainable Industrial and Logistics round table on 26 April.
The round table examined Croydon’s growing industrial and logistics sector, the drive towards sustainability by developers, alongside the pressures from companies and public alike, discussing the challenges faced, opportunities available and how the industry can work together to achieve carbon neutral and net zero goals.
Some key comments from the discussion are below, with the full report of the round table available to read online now.
Steve Malkin, CEO, Planet Mark said: “Working with the supply chain at Prologis’ site on Beddington Lane, we’ve managed to reduce the whole-life carbon of three units by 34%. That is really important on industrial buildings as 60% or 70% of their whole-life carbon will be embodied. 57% reduction was then achieved on the operational carbon, and we should be looking at demanding that for every development.”
Steve Dennington, Service Head – Spatial Planning & Interim Service Head of Growth Zone and Regeneration, Croydon Council, said: “This is an area where, particularly when we’re talking about
industrial buildings, the pace of what the industry and customers are wanting could be overtaking the planning landscape. It’s becoming higher on occupiers’, and customers’ agendas, adding greater weight to how businesses and developers meet the requirements, and achieving carbon targets and BREAAM excellent just becomes the natural point rather than a point of negotiation.”
Alex Hickman, Asset Management Director, KSP said: “I think we’ve got a national infrastructure issue, as well as the local council provision of infrastructure. These things will take time to improve so local generation through solar panels is probably one of the most practical ways to solve the problem.”
Alex Gale, Partner, SHW said: “The GLi development coming into Croydon, that’s going to be 100%, EV vehicle friendly – one of the first in the area to do that. I suspect going forward, because of the cost of power, PV panels and battery storage the ongoing running costs of any building will become the most important discussion point, in addition to rent.”
Develop Croydon’s Sustainable Industrial and Logistics round table was chaired by Catronia Fraser, Director, Turley and made up of:
- Steve Mitchell, Consultant, Prologis
- Alex Gale, Partner, SHW
- Steve Dennington, Service Head – Spatial Planning & Interim Service Head of Growth Zone and Regeneration, Croydon Council
- Alex Hickman, Asset Management Director, KSP
- Richard Skinner, Managing Director, Voith Engineering
- Steve Malkin, CEO, Planet Mark