Planners receive bid for new employment park
AMBITIOUS plans to create thousands of jobs on a new 82 acre employment park near Burbage are a step closer.
A formal submission to deliver the scheme on fields sandwiched between the M69 at J1 and the A5 has been accepted by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.
If approved works could start next spring.
Midlands based IM Properties is behind the multi-million pound project which will create a stateof-the-art parcel centre for logistics giants DPD - it’s second in the borough.
DPD identified part of the site as an ideal location for a new hub, which would create 700 new jobs, thanks to availability of a quality local labour force and position adjacent the motorway. The business is keen to build on the success of its existing Hub4 site in Hinckley.
The remainder of the land is earmarked for light industrial, manufacturing and logistics businesses. IM say this zone could create a further 1,300 jobs by attracting new, high-quality companies to the area, as well as providing space for expanding local firms to support the longer term growth of Hinckley and the surrounding area.
David Smith, planning director at IM Properties, said: “We are keen to invest in Hinckley and believe that with these proposals we can make a positive impact. The scheme would not only help to boost economic growth in the borough, bringing over £3 million annually in business rates, but create up to 2,000 new employment opportunities across the logistics and manufacturing sectors.
“We are grateful to all of those who turned out in good numbers for the public exhibitions that we held in Burbage and Hinckley during June. Members of the community, elected representatives and local businesses took the opportunity to voice their opinions and we were encouraged by the overall support and comments received. We have considered the extensive and valuable feedback received from the consultation process to help us to shape the best possible scheme for the area.”
Bill Cullen, chief executive of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, said: “We are pleased to see DPD’s commitment to wishing to grow its presence in this area as part of a larger commercial employment development proposed by IM Properties. If the planning application is approved this will result in significant job growth and opportunities in the local area. The council’s planning committee will need to review all relevant factors and take into account local community views when determining the application.”
The scheme will incorporate high standards of building design, as well as extensive landscaping, planting and other measures to mitigate any adverse visual and noise impacts.
There will also be improvements to the site’s frontage on the A5 to enhance pedestrian and cycle connections, as well as making provision for public transport services to call into the site.
A new roundabout to access the site is planned off the A5 just down from the Jury’s Inn Hinckley Island Hotel.
The planning application is expected to be determined by the borough council in early 2018 and, subject to permission being granted, work could begin on site in spring 2018.