Yorkshire firms need more logistics space - here's how to make it happen: Jason Rockett

For this, the Government has already given out strong signals. The Modern Industrial Strategy recognises I&L’s role in growth sectors, while the latest National Planning Policy Framework emphasises identifying land for key economic uses, such as freight and logistics. Now is the time for local leaders to listen to these signals.

Across Yorkshire, businesses are ready to expand, create more jobs and contribute to local growth, but can’t, because of a significant shortage of I&L units.

Most SMEs and growing businesses occupy warehousing units under 100,000 sq ft. Over the last decade, Yorkshire has seen suppressed demand of 44 per cent in this sector of the market.

This means that across the county, if it had been available, businesses would have taken 44 per cent more space, or almost a million square foot per year.

This is a problem nationwide - there’s not a single region that doesn’t have some level of suppressed demand - but Yorkshire is significantly affected, sitting well above the national average of 35 per cent.

Meeting this national demand across the last decade could have seen the creation of 48,000 jobs and the contribution of £3.3bn gross value added (GVA) to the economy.

We have firms who are ready and willing to grow, but couldn’t find space that met their standards, in the right locations. Yorkshire feels that pressure every day. Companies delay investment because they can’t find the right units and put off hiring because there is nowhere to put new people or equipment.

They make do in buildings which limit operational efficiency, making it harder to win or accommodate new work. When this persists, some firms look outside the region, and once that happens the jobs and supply chain spend could move too.

There are some structural reasons behind these challenges, and we need to see action from leaders to support change.

Planning capacity is stretched, so even straightforward schemes take too long; Potter Space recently waited more than two years on a straightforward, uncontroversial planning decision.

Local Plans underestimate business need because they do not account for suppressed demand for I&L space, so land is under allocated.

Much of the county’s stock does not reflect how SMEs operate now, with more companies bringing office roles, R&D and warehouse functions to the same unit. Power availability is another constraint on the industry, with commercial projects often facing significant connection delays.

The ask is straightforward. Local Plans need to recognise and harness I&L’s role in stimulating local growth by including suppressed demand in their evidence base, and by allocating land for sub-100,000 units where firms actually operate.

Energy and grid upgrades should prioritise the industrial clusters that drive employment, productivity and exports in this region. Finally, clarity on upcoming Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards deadlines, along with support to help the industry meet those milestones, is essential to support investor confidence.

Enable industrial property growth and the region will hire faster, invest sooner and produce more. At Potter Space, our commitment to Yorkshire is long term and we will always champion the sub-100k sq ft I&L market that underpins the region’s economy.

Government needs to match that intent, so Yorkshire’s potential turns into measurable output.

Jason Rockett is MD of commercial property company Potter Space