MPs debate Magna Park extension plans

Three plans to extend distribution centre

TRANSPORT for large logistics parks were debated in parliament after growing concern about the growth of Magna Park.

Alberto Costa, the MP for South Leicestershire, secured the debate, which looked at transport infrastructure considerations for large logistics parks.

The debate was also attended by constituents Shiela Carlton and Maggie Pankhurst of the Magna Park is Big Enough group.

It comes just months after Magna Park, Europe’s biggest distribution park, was given the go-ahead to expand by one million square feet despite a public uproar.

Parcel firm DHL has been given permission to build an enormous warehouse and develop nearly 600 acres of farm land at Magna Park, Lutterworth.

More than 400 protestors stormed into a planning meeting at Lutterworth High School on January this year to oppose the bid.

Mr Costa said: “It was important to have this debate in parliament, to highlight these concerns at the highest levels of government.

“I have been contacted by a number of constituents who will be affected by the planned expansion at Magna Park, so I was pleased to be able to raise concerns on their behalf directly with the government.

“It is imperative that the government develops a proper national policy about the location of these huge logistics parks.

“It must take into account the needs of the local community, as well as the needs of the nation. I am grateful to the Minister for his positive response to this request.”

The new DHL centre at Magna Park will be served by a new access road and the plans include creating a roundabout and partial dualling of the A5. DHL said the development would lead to 1,500 new jobs.

It is one of three applications for the site which, if all approved, would make the park larger than the town of Lutterworth and create around 9,000 jobs.

Magna Park owner IDI Gazeley’s second applica- tion is to develop 105 acres of warehouses on a 590acre site next to the distribution park.

The third, submitted by DB Symmetry, wants to build its own distribution park on the other side of the A4303. It wants nearly three million sq ft of buildings on 220 acres of farmland to the south.

In his debate, Mr Costa highlighted a number of issues and considerations associated with the location for such parks.

The Minister of State, Rt Hon John Hayes MP, promised to look at the situation and see what could be done to ease the issue.

Shiela Carlton added: “We are delighted that our local MP has raised the question of the Magna Park development in Parliament. The Minister for Transport gave a sympathetic response and we are confident that the points we raised will be followed up.”