Public support for schemes is lacking says councillor

RESIDENTS are not getting enough say on the proposed DPD depot on the A5 outside Hinckley, a councillor has warned.

Lib Dem councillor David Bill, who represents Hollycroft division on Leicestershire County Council, told a Scrutiny Commission that he was yet to hear anyone from Hinckley say they want the development to go ahead.

He said: “I’m not convinced that the people of South Leices- tershire want to see the area covered in large sheds.

“I’ve seen plans of a massive DPD depot on the A5, for a massive rail freight depot for Sapcote, and further sheds to the east of that.

“This might be all wonderful and it might be what everyone wants, but I’ve got no knowledge of that.

“Nobody from these areas has told me that it’s what they want and given me permission to vote it through.

“Until that happens, I can’t be a party to this.”

A formal submission to deliver an 82-acre employment park on fields between the M69 at J1 and the A5 were accepted by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council a month ago.

IM Properties is behind the multi-million pound project, which will create a state-of-theart parcel centre for DPD and a total of 1,300 jobs, as more businesses are attracted to the area.

The logistics giant already has a parcel superhub in Hinckley on Logix Road, which opened in 2015.

Cllr Bill said: “I don’t regard myself as an agent of the Government who says that we must agree to growth at all costs.

“I’ll listen to what the Government have to tell me, but I’ll also listen to the people who gave me the honour of sitting here.”

Bill Cullen, chief executive of the borough council, said: “If the planning application is approved this will result in sig- nificant 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.”

Councillors raised similar concerns last year about a lack of transparency around plans for a rail freight terminal and housing estate, proposed for a 780-acre green field site between Burbage and Stoney Stanton.

Outline plans had been drafted, with an early consultation with Blaby District Council and Leicesteshire County Council highways having taken place, but little information was made public.

A spokesman for the district council said if the project moved forward it would be decided on by the National Infrastructure Commission, alarming Liberal Democrat councillors that the developer may bypass local government.