Strategic industrial locations (SILs)
Strategic Industrial Locations (SILs) are designated in the London Plan, a spatial development strategy setting out an economic, environmental, transport and social framework for the development of London.
SILs exist to ensure London provides a sufficient number of quality sites, in appropriate locations, to meet the needs of industrial and related sectors, such as logistics, waste management and environmental industries, utilities, wholesale markets, and so on.
There are two types of SIL:
- Preferred Industrial Locations (PILs), which are particularly suitable for general industrial, light industrial, waste management, and so on.
- Industrial Business Parks (IBPs), which are particularly suitable for research and development and other activities that require a better-quality environment.
Most SILs are more than 20 hectares in size, although some smaller areas of around 10 hectares can be of strategic importance where there is pressure on industrial land. Generally, SILs are located close to strategic transport infrastructure such as roads, rail, rivers, canals and safeguarded wharves.
The Mayor, and individual boroughs, are expected to promote, manage and protect the SILs.
Development proposals should meet the following criteria:
- They conform to the broad industrial type of activities that are prescribed as allowable.
- The strategic consolidation of the SIL should be included in an opportunity area planning framework or borough development plan.
- The proposal involves the provision of employment workspace to meet identified needs for SMEs or new emerging industrial sectors.
- The proposal involves small scale ‘walk to’ services for industrial occupiers, such as workplace nurseries, cafes and so on.
You can find out more and see the list of SILs here.
See also: Preferred industrial locations.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.
Construction contract awards remain buoyant
Infrastructure up but residential struggles.
Home builders call for suspension of Building Safety Levy
HBF with over 100 home builders write to the Chancellor.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2024/2025
CIOB names James Monk a quantity surveyor from Cambridge as the winner.
Warm Homes Plan and existing energy bill support policies
Breaking down what existing policies are and what they do.
Treasury responds to sector submission on Warm Homes
Trade associations call on Government to make good on manifesto pledge for the upgrading of 5 million homes.
A tour through Robotic Installation Systems for Elevators, Innovation Labs, MetaCore and PORT tech.
A dynamic brand built for impact stitched into BSRIA’s building fabric.
BS 9991:2024 and the recently published CLC advisory note
Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings. Code of practice.