Magna Park extension proposals are revealed

The proposal by business park owners IDI Gazeley so far involves around 105 acres of new storage and distribution warehousing.

Altogether the new site covers around 590 acres, which is almost a square mile of land.

The proposals, if approved by Harborough District Council, would bring an extra 5,700 new jobs to Magna Park, the developers say.

Also involved in the IDI Gazeley plans are:

* Up to 3,700 square metres for a new Logistics Institute of Technology, with associated playing field.

* Up to 9,000 square metres for “small business space”.

* Space for an estate office with conference facility and an exhibition centre.

* The creation of a Country Park and landscaping works.

* Road improvements including the upgrading of the A5 to dual carriageway.

* The creation of a 140- space HGV parking facility, associated gatehouse and HGV Driver Training Centre, vehicle wash and fuelling facilities.

* A road shuttle service between Magna Park and the DIRFT hub near Daventry.

The proposals involve land in two areas: firstly a block of land east of the A5 Watling Street and north west of Mere Lane, and secondly land south of the A4303 and adjacent to the Asda George Headquarters. The lorry park and rail freight shuttle terminal would be on the land south of the A4303.

This proposal must be added to an existing one for a DHL warehouse scheme which alone will cover 25 acres.

Planning director of IDI Gazeley Gwyn Stubbings has told the Mail the expansion balances the “significant demand” for more facilities at Magna Park with the company’s responsibility to be a good neighbour.

“We are an important part of the community” he said. “We feel a real responsibility to be a good neighbour whilst continuing to deliver the jobs and inward investment that the district and region need.”

But action groups have collected more than 1,000 signatures against any further expansion of Magna Park.

Graham Logan of Cotesbach Action group said: “We’re not NIMBYs, because we’ve got Magna Park in our backyards already. We just don’t think it should get any bigger.”