Stephenson Halliday is proud to have supported our client, GLP, in achieving planning consent for the first phase of their urban logistics site for last mile distribution in Stratford, London.
GLP’s initial design aimed to create a secure site with contained service areas for the end users of their commercial space. However, this was a particularly challenging site in which the local planning authority was keen to have active frontages that link to an emerging quarter of Stratford. The project team were then faced with the challenge of designing a scheme that would maintain the initial key priorities of creating a secure site, whilst also designing buildings that provides an oversight of the surrounding public areas to ensure the LPA’s concerns were considered.
The resulting scheme addresses these competing demands by opening up the public realm around the outer edges of the site and introducing new linkages to an adjacent greenway. The internal layout of the building includes amenity facilities and strategically located office areas that provide natural surveillance over the public realm. These enhancements create greater accessibility and connectivity with the local community while maintaining secure core areas for operations.
The proposal also displays great consideration to sustainability and biodiversity with the creation of commuting routes for urban wildlife with the use of wildflower turf and native planting. These natural elements look to maximise biodiversity net gain within the site boundary and significantly exceed the statutory requirement.
This project is another great example of biodiversity net gain being prioritised throughout the scheme.
