Magna Park's Massive Headache
Gazeley's plans for a 4.5M SF extension to the Magna Park logistics hub at Lutterworth have been thrown into doubt by a surprise move by disgruntled local councillors.
Although Harborough District Council's planning committee approved the application to extend Magna Park onto the Glebe Farm site at a meeting in 23 November 2017, seven members of the council insisted on a call-in so the decision could be reconsidered by the full council.
The call-in was on the basis that the decision pre-empted decisions on warehousing developments which ought to be made in Harborough council's new strategic local plan.
The call-in request, which was narrowly endorsed by the full council, said: "The recommendation to approve 239 ha of agricultural land is premature in the light of the emerging Local Plan."
The decision also endorsed claims that the landscape impact is severe and outweighs the economic benefit. A report to the council revealed growing concerns about landscaping.
Gazeley, who have been preparing for the extension since 2014, said they would reflect on the council's decision.
