Council makes final objections to rail hub plan
LAST PUSH IN BID TO STOP 662-ACRE SITE IN COUNTRYSIDE
A COUNCIL has submitted its final objections to a proposed £750 million rail and warehouse complex, saying the “poorly designed” scheme will “cause untold damage” to the countryside.
Urging the refusal of plans, Blaby District Council’s summary said the 662-acre Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange, on land between the M69 and the Leicester to Birmingham railway line, would destroy swathes of the district.
It would also have far-reaching adverse highways, environmental and social impacts.
MPs, councils and residents have criticised the scheme saying it is too big and will have a huge impact on the environment and road network – with up to 9,000 HGV movements a day.
The scheme is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, so the final decision lies with the Secretary of State for Transport. This is expected in the autumn.
In its closing submission the council outlined its key concerns and urged the Secretary of State to refuse the application. It said:
The true severity of highways impacts, especially at the M1/M69 junction and Narborough level crossing, has been poorly assessed so required mitigation is unknown;
The proposal is badly designed and would create major adverse landscape and ecological impacts with the loss of wildlife habitat;
Neighbouring settlements would suffer from unnecessary noise and light pollution;
Expected job creation would not benefit the district as it results in generally low-paid jobs;
The suggested socio-economic and climate change benefits do not outweigh the adverse impacts;
There is no guarantee goods will be brought in by rail rather than road.
Councillor Terry Richardson, leader of Blaby District Council, said: “We maintain our vehement opposition to the rail freight scheme.
“We maintain there has been insufficient mitigation for a host of issues.
“The scheme is poorly designed and totally alien to the surrounding environment.
“It would cause untold damage to the rural nature of our district and have wide-ranging adverse impacts beyond the immediate site area.
“Again and again, the same issues have come up during this examination.
“This is due to inadequate consultation by Tritax Symmetry and its failure to amend its plans in response to the concerns raised.
“While I am confident we have done all we possibly can to counter this proposal, it is up to the Secretary of State to make the final call.
“For us, the claimed benefits of the scheme simply do not outweigh the significant harms caused. We can only hope the minister agrees and rejects the plans.”
Nick Payne, development director at Tritax Symmetry, previously said an estimated 8,400 jobs would be created through the scheme.
He said the developer would be putting money into landscaping and adding about 50 acres to the 200-acre Burbage Common, which borders the site.
If approval is granted there would be about two-and-a-half years of infrastructure work, including the rail terminal, and the first goods could be shipped in within three or four years.