Medieval village halts Magna Park bid
A BID to build an enormous warehouse complex at Magna Park is to be re-considered following legal advice on a nearby medieval village.
IDI Gazeley’s application to build an enormous distribution centre for parcel firm DHL was given the green light on January 28.
But Harborough District Council is to re-consider the planning application in light of advice relating to the nearby Bittesby Deserted Medieval Village – a national and statutorily protected heritage site and Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM).
A recent High Court case clarified the law on heritage issues and the council’s lawyers said the planning committee should re-assess the application.
The council says a new meeting would allow for a “proper and robust interpretation” of national policy and would allow members to consider the final terms of the section 106 – a legal agreement ensuring developers contribute towards supportive infrastructure.
Councillor Jo Brodrick, Harborough District Council’s portfolio holder for planning and regeneration, said: “It is of the utmost importance to the council to make sure all national planning policy is taken into account when considering planning applications.
“For this reason, this planning application will be taken back to committee to ensure any decision reached is robust and in line with current planning policy.”
The move has been welcomed by protestors who have campaigned against the major expansion of the Lutterworth site.
Maggie Pankhurst from action group Magna Park Is Big Enough said: “We are pleased that it is to be re-considered as there is a chance of it not going through.
“However, we think the whole application process was flawed. Some of the issues and statements made by officers were not viable or accurate.
“We will continue to raise our objections.”
The application proposes to build a 100,844sqm storage and distribution centre - the size of 16 football pitches - on land to the north west of Mere Lane, Bittesby.
It includes a new access road, with the creation of roundabouts and partial dualling of the A5.
The committee will re-consider the bid at a meeting on July 13, at 6.30pm, at Hangar 42, Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground and Aerodrome, Bath Lane, Bruntingthorpe, near Lutterworth.
It is one of three applications for the largest distribution park in Europe, which, if all approved, would create around 9,000 jobs.
The council is expected to give its verdict on the other two planning applications this summer.