The draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) released on 16 December 2025 has the potential to bring about positive change for the industrial and logistics sector and signifies the sector’s importance to the UK economy – but will it bring about real change in practice?
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is proposing widespread reforms to the national planning policy, which are currently under consultation and include a particular focus on the industrial and logistics sector as a key driver for economic growth.
The key reforms relating to the industrial and logistics sector include:
- For the first time, the NPPF seeks to introduce explicit policy support for freight and logistics development, and associated infrastructure, including access to transport networks, parking provision and potential impacts on the environment, local residents and neighbouring uses.
- A proposal to give substantial weight in the planning balance to the economic benefits of proposals for commercial development, which allow businesses to invest, expand, and adapt, particularly for freight and logistics.
Implications for the sector
Demand in the industrial and logistics sector has shown no signs of slowing down since the COVID-19 pandemic, given the continued rise of online shopping and the demise of the high street. Despite this backdrop, the sector faces significant challenges in the planning system which have resulted in an inconsistent approach to determining schemes in the sector.
A recent work highlight for Langtree, as part of a joint venture with St Helens Borough Council, is the securing of planning permission (the decision notice and section 106 agreement are yet to be issued) for the development of phase two of the former Parkside Colliery in Newton-Le-Willows – a 1.6m sq ft employment scheme (bringing the total scheme consented to 2.4m sq ft) which includes manufacturing space as well as general industrial uses. The Council, in granting the consent, noted: “Approval of the Parkside Regeneration phase two application is a major step forward in our support for a strong, thriving, inclusive and well-connected local economy.” Phase two is expected to add approximately £70m per annum to the Borough’s economic output.
However, such success stories are not always the case with the planning system which is often seen to frustrate investment and development in the sector, as evident from a number of recent refusals such as:
- An employment site on an unallocated 98-hectare greenbelt site in Warrington was refused by the Secretary of State in November 2024 despite its “significant” economic benefits.
- 100,000 sqm logistics scheme in Warwickshire was refused on appeal in August 2025 despite demonstrating an “immediate need for big box logistics land”.
Those involved in the industrial and logistics sector are acutely aware of the sector’s significance in building economic growth and that presently, this is not reflected in the planning system.
National support for the industrial and logistics sector is welcomed and, in theory, if the proposed changes are implemented, it should provide greater certainty for the sector in the planning system. However, arguably the proposed reforms do not go far enough particularly from a local perspective as local authorities still have the flexibility and autonomy to develop their own assessments for determining need for commercial developments. Only time will tell whether the changes – if implemented - shall translate into real change on a local level in terms of plan making and decision making.