Reconsidered Magna Park storage centre plan approved

Harborough District Council’s planning committee met on Wednesday 13 July 2016 to reconsider a planning application relating to proposals for a storage and distribution centre on land to the north west of Mere Lane, Bittesby.

Representations, for and against the planning application, were made at the meeting, held at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground and Aerodrome.

After hearing from the speakers and lengthy discussions, councillors approved the application subject to conditions, including the provision of a new roundabout at Mere Lane and a public transport scheme, all of which can be viewed in Appendix 1 (from page 18) of the planning committee report.

IDI Gazeley’s application (reference 15/00919/FUL), to create a storage and distribution centre and ancillary infrastructure, was originally considered at a meeting of Harborough District Council’s planning committee held at Lutterworth College on 28 January 2016.

However, following legal advice relating to the nearby Bittesby Deserted Medieval Village – a national and statutorily protected heritage site and Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) – Harborough District Council decided the planning application should be reconsidered.

The council said reconsideration of the planning application allowed for the proper and robust interpretation and application of national policy.

Cllr Jo Brodrick, Harborough District Council’s portfolio holder for planning and regeneration, said: "It was of the utmost importance to the council that this application was reconsidered in order to make sure all national planning policy is taken into account. This has been done and a decision reached. I would like to thank those who gave their time to speak at the meeting."

IDI Gazeley’s application proposed a 100,844sqm storage and distribution centre with offices on land adjoining and linked to Magna Park, including formation of access road from Magna Park, erection of gatehouse, creation of roundabouts, partial realignment of Mere Lane and upgrading of the A5 road to dual carriageway, creation of drainage facilities and associated infrastructure and landscaping works.