Magna Park growth plan reconsidered
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a huge new distribution park off the A5 near Lutterworth are being considered once again tonight (January 10).
Despite being approved in November the application from IDI Gazeley for more warehouse units at Magna Park will be tabled before all members of Harborough District Council.
Local residents and opponents of the scheme are expected to turn out in force to the meeting which takes place at Hangar 42, Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome at 6.30pm.
The bid seeks to develop some 500,000 sq m of distribution space on a 220 hectare extension site along the A5 and Mere Lane opposite the existing Magna Park site with DHL as the headline occupier.
A logistics academy, innovation space for small businesses and public park centred around the remains of the deserted medieval village are all proposed.
Members of the Magna Park is Big Enough lobby group have pledged to up their protests ahead of the meeting. Representatives will also speak at the gathering.
Maggie Pankhurst, from the group, said: “The planning application was originally approved by the Harborough District Council planning committee at its meeting on November 23. However, this application was only agreed by six votes to five and considerable concern was expressed during the meeting about the size of this development when taken alongside the other two applications that have been approved to expand Magna Park. ”
“Following the meeting there was continuing concern about the impact that this development would have on the surrounding area and a number of councillors asked for the application to be “called in” and reconsidered by the full council.
“We will be speaking at the meeting emphasising the issues that should lead to rejection of the application, which the supply of warehouse space already available in the area, lack of unemployment locally leading to a wider recruitment area, pollution, impact on already overcrowded and dangerous highways, loss of countryside and farmland, damage to the deserted medieval village on site and impact on villages with commuters using rural roads as rat runs.”
She said the group felt any benefits from the development would not outweigh the concerns.