In the heart of England, Northamptonshire stands out as the region with the highest concentration of storage and distribution centers across the country. Towns like Corby are particularly notable for their towering structures known as 'mega-sheds', among which are significant facilities such as Europas global headquarters and Nike's upcoming logistics hub. Real estate experts warn that this is just the beginning. To keep pace with the increasing demand for housing and the rapid growth of online retail, the UK will require additional warehouse space equivalent to over 2,000 football pitches.

The head of the UK Warehousing Association has emphasized that warehouses play a vital role as an 'engine of growth' for the economy. However, many residents express concern over these imposing structures, considering them unsightly and detrimental to their neighborhoods. 'They are disgusting,' remarked a local woman. 'An eyesoreI know we need them, but they are too close to homes.' Another resident voiced a similar sentiment, expressing frustration over the volume of warehouses already present. 'We've got enough now; they should be located somewhere else.'

According to Will Laing, a research analyst at Newmark Group, specialists in commercial real estate, the trend toward larger warehouses is likely to continue as companies strive to enhance their operational efficiency. He noted a marked increase in trade flows from the Port of Felixstowe, which naturally leads to more demand in the 'golden logistics triangle' of the East Midlands. 'A larger warehouse enables occupiers to reach most consumers effectively and serves as a central hub for their logistics networks,' Laing explained. He further detailed that for every new home constructed, an average of 69 square feet of warehouse space is necessary. With the government setting an ambitious goal to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years, and alongside the sustained shift towards online shopping, an estimated 150 million square feet of new warehousing will be required in the coming decadeequivalent to 2,160 football fields or around 1,500 warehouses each the size of 100,000 square feet.

The proliferation of warehouses in Northamptonshire has sparked significant backlash from local communities. There have been thousands of objections filed against a proposed distribution site on farmland near Thrapston, as well as public outcry regarding a recently approved DHL logistics facility on the outskirts of Towcester. In Corby, residents living near an 18-meter (59-foot) warehouse on a former Weetabix plant site were recently denied a judicial review challenging the construction. A judge noted that the local council had 'fallen well below standards' by failing to properly consult residents, having mistakenly distributed notices to the wrong street. This particular warehouse, named Rockingham 161, currently stands vacant and is attracting bids from potential occupiers, with promises of generating hundreds of jobs in the vicinity.

Residents in places like Nacton, located near Ipswich, have also expressed their distress over a mega-shed that is reportedly as large as six football pitches. Neighbors described the large warehouse as a 'monstrosity' and a 'misguided development' for their area. Clare Bottle, CEO of the UK Warehousing Association, pointed out that in the last two decades, numerous large warehouses exceeding 1,000,000 square feet have been constructed in the region.

Despite the objections, not all views are negative. Clare Bottle herself expressed a sense of admiration for these structures. 'I love them,' she stated. 'If I had one at the bottom of my garden, I would genuinely not be disappointed because I think they look majestic and wonderful.' However, she acknowledged that the poor placement of warehouses is indicative of a 'broken planning system'. Many locations in Corby and Nacton have been classified as industrial land, facilitating the ease of obtaining planning permissions. In East Anglia, the shortage of industrial land has exacerbated the issue.

Looking ahead, there may be a shift in this landscape due to impending government reforms in planning policy, currently under public consultation. These proposed measures would allow more regions of the green belt to be reclassified as grey belt, thus allowing for commercial development. Government officials assert that logistics is a crucial industry that these reforms aim to bolster. 'Were not building warehouses for the sake of it,' emphasized Mrs. Bottle. 'Were building them because they are essential for the growth of our supply chains, and that ultimately benefits everyone. Our reliance on the service sector is increasing, and its essential to have goods positioned close to the supply chain.'