British Land has received planning permission for an ultra-low carbon logistics hub at Paddington Central.
The 121,000 sq ft facility at 5 Kingdom Street, which will be built on a former Crossrail works site, will provide inbound access to HGVs with outbound deliveries via smaller electric vehicles and electric cargo bikes.
British Land says the new hub will remove around 100 large vans from roads of the borough of Westminster every day, reducing annual carbon emissions by up to 90%.
Mike Best, head of logistics at British Land, said: “The post-pandemic demand for ultrafast deliveries comes with major impacts on emissions, air quality, congestion and road safety, which urban logistics hubs can combat. Replacing traditional vans with sustainable electric vehicles and bikes can deliver carbon savings of up to 90% per parcel alongside the wider positive impact on air quality and wider environment for local communities.
“British Land’s skillset in delivering complex, mixed-use, sustainable developments and our strategically located portfolio means we are well positioned to unlock urban logistics space in London. We look forward to progressing our plans at 5 Kingdom Street and across our wider London portfolio.”
To date, the developer has submitted planning applications for circa 1.6m sq ft of potential urban logistics space with a GDV of £1.5bn.
