It is becoming more difficult for large-scale logistics companies to establish themselves in Brabant. The province prohibits establishment throughout Brabant, with the exception of specific locations on which the province and municipalities have made regional agreements. In this way, municipalities can prevent settlement in undesirable places.
The desire to be able to better determine where huge logistics companies establish themselves has been around for a long time. In 2021, the province has already indicated that they want to give less space to these types of companies. There are now agreements with municipalities where companies are still allowed to visit to a limited extent.
Research
The province has commissioned an extensive study into the location and redevelopment possibilities for large-scale logistics in Brabant. This concerns a space requirement of 3 hectares, about four and a half football fields. This study shows that approximately one third of the industrial estates are interesting for the market as a business location. Many of the buildings on these sites are also in need of replacement.
Nevertheless, the province and the municipalities are now opting not to ‘issue’ those places again as locations for new large-scale logistics. Half of these places are now considered unsuitable. For example, because there is not the right infrastructure for the traffic flows or because they are places where the municipalities prefer to have local small and medium-sized enterprises.
Additional homes
We are also looking at places where buildings can be converted into homes. Until now, it was possible to establish large-scale logistics at these undesirable locations. With this decision, the establishment is now really impossible.
Many business parks therefore no longer have room for (new) large-scale logistics. There is space in the Northeast Brabant region. The Oss-Veghel-Den Bosch region is even the second logistics hotspot in the Netherlands. In this region, twelve business parks, existing and new, have been designated where XXL logistics are possible. In total, there are still 56 business parks throughout Brabant where large-scale logistics may still be built.
Not for everyone
Parties in the Provincial Council voted in favor of the decision. There were concerns, however. This decision only applies to companies that are 30,000 square meters (or larger). Large companies under those three hectares can therefore go anywhere. GroenLinks wants the province to keep a close eye on whether there are several buildings just below those three hectares to circumvent the rules.
The SP also wants the benefits for ordinary people from Brabant to be carefully considered. Does it create employment, or do we mainly need migrant workers? The PVV also sees a major objection to this. According to the PvdD, this decision once again indicates that the economy of Brabant is committed to a good living environment. That party therefore voted against the decision.