A lack of consented development land, coupled with rising construction costs and increased borrowing costs for developers, is likely to result in fewer big box developments coming through the development pipeline.

Latest data from Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has found that the Yorkshire industrial property market is on course for a supply slump in 2023, with only 3.5 million sq ft of new space to be delivered across the region in the next 12–24 months. With developers facing rapidly rising construction costs and a further 5.5 million sq ft of industrial space likely to be put on hold, there is likely to be upward pressure on rents across the region. 

Q4 of 2022 is unlikely to offer any respite, with only a further 1 million sq ft of space to be delivered and just a couple of second-hand existing units available in the market. 

Scott Morrison, a director in LSH’s industrial & logistics team, said: “Unless a large wave of second-hand stock comes to the market, there is likely to be a marked drop off in supply. Annual requirements for large-scale (100,000 sq ft plus) industrial space throughout the region typically stands at around 5 million sq ft, so the current supply pipeline is falling well short of typical market demand.”

Like most sectors, the industrial and logistics sector is likely to face challenges and some headwinds in the next 24 months with the economic background and rising costs. However, occupiers are warned to act now if they have lease events or need to upgrade or expand their facilities, or face increased competition and potentially higher rental values in the coming years. 

We have recently been appointed on Firethorn’s S42 scheme at Sherburn in Elmet which will deliver four units comprising 660,000 sq ft of new space. This comes on the back of being appointed on Arrow Point in Barnsley, which is nearing completion in December 2022, providing a combined 451,000 sq ft to the market across two modern units. Both schemes providing much needed stock to the market with high ESG credentials.