Village logistics hub expansion scheme is refused by councillors

to expand a logistics hub outside Desford have been refused over concerns the new warehousing would be intrusive for neighbours.

Neovia brought forward plans to demolish an existing building at its base in Peckleton Lane and to create four new buildings, with some 85,000 square metres of floor space, on fields to the north of the facility.

Councillors at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council turned down the scheme over concerns that one of the new tall buildings would impose on neighbouring homes in Peckleton Lane.

Concerns were also raised during the planning committee meeting about the additional traffic to and from the expanded facility, amid on-going issues with HGV traffic headed for the site going through the village.

Desford Parish Council sent in comments about the application, warning that the development would lead to more pressure on the roads in the centre of Desford.

The authority said that the junction at Peckleton Lane and High Street and the central roundabout would become even more conPLANS gested at peak times if the scheme was approved.

Last month, residents complained that workers at the depot had been clogging up the roads during staff changeover times.

Villagers said the extra traffic caused a bottle neck near the Co-op on High Street, with Neovia staff using Parkstone Road as a cut through.

Police spoke to managers at the company about the issue and a Neovia representative told the Mercury that it had notified workers and reminded them to follow the signs when arriving and departing.

In 2017, the company paid for new signs to be installed on Manor Road and Station Road, to urge lorries heading to the site to avoid going through Desford.

The latest refusal for more development comes after plans for 120 homes at Ashfield Farm, off Kirkby Road, were refused in December, again over traffic concerns and the impact on the landscape.

Borough Councillor Robin Webber-Jones said at the time that the village was at “breaking point” in terms of amenities.

However, some homes are going up, with plans approved in 2019 for 80 homes opposite Bosworth Academy.