Lorry park Inspector gets final say on plans despite fears over countryside
PLANS to build a lorry park in the Cotswolds could still go ahead despite being turned down by planners over fears it would harm the landscape.
Cotswold District Council rejected the proposals by William Gilder Ltd to build a new 75-space truck stop on land at Gloucester Road near the A417 in Stratton in March.
However, a planning inspector will now have the final say on the proposals after the company lodged an appeal against the council’s decision.
The scheme which includes facilities for drivers and a service yard was turned down by district planners over fears it would harm the Cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty.
Councillor Julia Judd (C, Ermin) says it is “the wrong application in the wrong place”.
“You cannot ‘undo’ major development, there are a plethora of suitable ‘underused’ aprons of concreted or metalled spaces within just a few miles of this site which could be repurposed.
“No one contests that truck drivers need and deserve better facilities, but not here, high up on this precious and sensitive part of the Cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty where nature, wildlife and rural tranquillity reign.”
However, consultants working on behalf of the applicant say there is a “dire need” for roadside truck stop facilities along the A417.
It is also their view that the proposals would not have a substantial impact on the environment and would create jobs, improve road safety and reduce the opportunities for crime.
“These benefits, together with the genuine need for a fully services truck stop on one of the region’s key freight routes amount to major benefits in favour of this development.
The proposal would not result in substantial landscape and environmental impacts due to the existing and proposed boundary screening and the sensitive nature that the proposal has been designed.”
A planning inspector will consider the appeal on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
The planning inquiry is expected to take four days.