Estate lorry park plan looks set to be green-lit
MAJOR plans to extend an industrial park near Lutterworth, bringing hundreds of new jobs to the area, are set to be given the thumbs-up by planners.
The proposal for Magna Park by distribution firm Stobart Group and estate owners Gazeley UK would see a new HGV and car parking facility with parking for 140 HGVs and 170 cars built on the site.
Officers at Harborough District Council have recommended the plan be approved when it comes before the authority’s planning committee on Tuesday.
The scheme, for agricultural land at the edge of Magna Park near the now-demolished former George headquarters, would see the construction of a two-storey gatehouse and 500 square-metre administration building along with a vehicle maintenance unit in addition to the car park.
The firm says the scheme will help bring hundreds of new jobs to the area and will not result in extra traffic, as it will end the current need for lorries to have to travel, empty, to a depot near Daventry DIRFT once they have finished drop-offs at Magna Park.
The plans are supported by Lutterworth Town Council but the parish councils of Bitteswell, Bittesby, Cotesbach and Ullesthorpe have all raised objections.
Noise, the impact on the countryside and extra traffic are among the concerns raised.
The planning officers’ report, prepared for Tuesday’s meeting, agrees the development would impact on the countryside and conflict with the council’s Core Strategy planning policy.
But it adds: “Notwithstanding and outweighing this potential conflict the proposal has significant merit, including job creation and development of existing business.”
The application will be determined at a public planning meeting at Harborough Council offices, due to start at 6.30pm.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Market Harborough
Saturday 18 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
