Companies looking to build a distribution centre larger than 40,000 square metres can only go to a very limited number of places. The largeplots at the various logistics hotspots are in fact running out.
So say several real estate experts to RTL Z. Zalando recently announced the construction of a 140,000-square-metre distribution centre in Bleiswijk. Inditex is moving into a 170,000-square-metre logistics building in Lelystad. These may be the last large distribution centres to be built in the Netherlands for the time being.
Limited space on business parks
Land is still available at various business parks, but these plots are of limited size. "40 per cent of the logistics companies we surveyed are facing an accommodation problem," Hub Ploem, partner at the Stec Group told RTL Z. According to Ploem, the companies need at least five hectares and often even more than 10 hectares. There is no such space on existing business parks.
Nitrogen decision
In the past, municipalities managed to avoid scarcity by developing new business parks. Due to the Council of State's nitrogen decision, this is not as easy. The decision means that building permits near protected nature reserves will not be issued just like that. Countless existing projects will be put at risk as a result.
Brownfields
Redevelopment of an existing business park, known as a brownfield, can offer solace. Zalando is building on a brownfield in Bleiswijk. According to Rens, there are also disadvantages to this: "For example, you have to buy four plots at the same time to be able to put up a large building, but those old buildings do not always come on the market at the same time. And you can't buy them one by one, because then they will be empty for years before you have everything."
Municipalities cautious about XXL DCs
Moreover, municipalities themselves are no longer so keen on XXL warehouses. There is room in Venlo, for example, but there are already a number of large logistics sites there. "If, as a municipality, you have ten of those properties within the municipal boundary, you have a problem," says Arjan Rens, chairman of the logistics trade group of estate agents' organisation Dynamis. "Suppose, for example, Bol.com leaves the premises in Waalwijk. Can another tenant or buyer be found? Otherwise you'll be stuck with a huge property that sits empty for years."
Image: bol.com's XXL distribution centre in Waalwijk. The building covers an area of 50,000 square metres. Another 50,000 square metres will be added in the coming years.
