28-05-2025
EXCLUSIVE Rise of the megasheds: Homeowners fear living in the shadow of enormous distribution centres that can wipe up to £500,000 off your property's value - as experts explain your rights
They're considered gigantic 'eyesores' and have the power to wipe out the views and value of any homes that live in their shadow.
But the rise of the 'megashed' doesn't appear to be stopping anytime soon - with massive developments 'constantly' popping up across the country, much to the dismay of horrified locals.
Corby, for example, in Northamptonshire, is home to dozens of the massive storage units, including Europa's global HQ and Nike's forthcoming logistics campus.
Elsewhere, in Suffolk, a 1.17 million sq ft warehouse used by The Range has sprung up beside a row of countryside houses, while an even bigger 'megashed' right next to it has just been approved by the council.
Real estate agents say the current crop is just the beginning - with the UK set to require the equivalent of more than 2,000 football pitches of extra warehouse space to keep up with house-building plans and the fast-fashion epidemic.
To make matters worse, property experts now claim there is very little homeowners can do to stop a 'megashed' being built outside their house, with the decision ultimately falling on the council.
Julie Ford, property specialist at Gothard Rowe Property Services, told MailOnline: 'There isn't actually a lot that they can do sadly. It comes down to local councils.
'Unless it would directly affect somebody - their health or something.'
Ms Ford added: 'It's certainly worth people going to the council. There would have to be enough people [...] to almost step over the council.'
UK architect Danny Campbell said homeowners must object through their local council's planning portal, but admitted their chances of success are 'limited'.
He told MailOnline: 'Residents are usually notified as part of the planning process and can submit objections. There is sometimes a community consultation too.
'If the land is zoned for commercial or industrial use, the council may be under pressure to approve for economic reasons. It's rarely a level playing field.'
He added: 'You can find out how the land near you is designated on your councils local development plan.'
Mr Campbell encouraged residents to object, urging them to home in on factors such as 'traffic, noise, visual impact or environmental concerns'.
'Strong objections usually focus on material planning considerations,' he said.
'Not just ''I don't like it''. You can also lobby your MP to help.
He says they live constantly in a shadow and that the building blocks about 80 per cent of the sunlight into his home
'Noise, light pollution, HGV traffic, and visual intrusion can all reduce desirability. The loss of green buffer zones also affects wellbeing and attractiveness.'
This week, grandfather Ken Lungley, of Suffolk, said £600,000 has been wiped off the value of his home and rental properties after a massive warehouse used by The Range sprung up beside his land.
Mr Lungley had enjoyed spectacular views over the countryside until work began on the 1.17million sq ft 'megashed'.
Now the sprawling building, used by the variety store and garden centre retailer, 'blights' the area and has caused the value of his retirement investment to collapse from £1.5million to just £900,000.
In a further blow, the local council has approved an even bigger warehouse beside the commercial site, which Mr Lungley, 79, fears will further slash what his nest egg is worth.
He is powerless to do anything about it, telling the Mail: 'You can't stand in the way of progress - but not in my back garden.'
In April, neighbours living in the 'warehouse capital of Britain' - Northamptonshire -spoke of the nightmare of being forced to live in the shadow of massive buildings that they said is like being next to the 'Berlin Wall'.
Northamptonshire has more storage and distribution centres than anywhere else in the country, with massive developments popping up regularly.
'Due to the ongoing legal conversations around costs, it's not possible to comment any further at this stage.'
However, for those thinking this can't get any worse, a real estate expert warned the UK will need around 2,000 football pitches worth of extra warehouse space in order to meet house-building targets and the growth of online retail, the BBC reports.
Will Laing, a research analyst at Newmark Group, said: 'Given the government's target to build 1.5 million homes in the next five years, coupled with the continued shift to online retail, we estimate 150,000,000 sq ft (13,935,456 sq m) of extra warehousing will be needed over the next 10 years.'
But homeowners in Corby said their lives have been ruined by the huge warehouses towering over their homes.
They compared it to living next to the 'Berlin Wall' or in a 'prison camp'.
One 60ft high 'monster' warehouse - called Rockingham 161 - was even built without locals' knowledge due to a council error.
The site of the former Weetabix plant still lies empty a year after being constructed, but looms over nearby homes in Hooke Close.
A spokesperson for North Northamptonshire Council said at the time: 'Following the court's decision to refuse the claimant's application for judicial review on this case, the claimant then appealed the decision, and this appeal was then refused by the court in late March 2024.
Furious villagers in Suffolk are up in arms after a giant 21m high warehouse stretching for a length of more than 300m was built at the end of their gardens
Residents have described the building as a 'gigantic mega-shed' and a 'monstrosity' which looms over their homes
In March, furious villagers in Nacton, were up in arms after a giant 21m high warehouse stretching for a length of more than 1,000ft was built at the end of their gardens.
Residents described the building as a 'gigantic mega-shed' and a 'monstrosity' which looms over their homes.
They used to look out over an open field before the huge structure was erected last Autumn and replaced the scenic view with what they said is 'a massive metal wall'.
Some likened the building, which is the size of six football pitches, to a prison, saying it blocks out the sun and makes them feel as if they are inmates.
The locals were told that the building was set to be used as a freight forwarding depot during construction of the new Sizewell C nuclear power station on the Suffolk coast.
They were angry that planning consent for it was granted by East Suffolk Council, despite fierce opposition from people living in the area.
The warehouse, which is 147m deep, was built on the other side of a railway track at the back of the homes in Nacton.
A East Suffolk Council spokesperson said at the time: 'Members of the planning committee, many of whom have strong local knowledge, visited the site and neighbouring properties on two occasions.
'They considered the representations received and heard directly from neighbours in the planning committee meetings.
'The planning decision was made in accordance with the development plan and planning legislation.
'The impact of any development on private property values is not a material planning consideration which affects decision making.
'If it was felt that there had been procedural errors in this planning decision, there was an option to request a judicial review within six weeks of the decision date. No judicial review was requested.
'This application was fully and properly assessed in its impact on neighbours, and we do not believe there was any fault in the decision-making process.
'All complainants have been provided with information summarising the decision-making process and the considerations applied.'
