9 million sq ft SRFI planned for East Midlands

dbSymmetry is pushing forward an nine million sq ft Strategic Rail Freight Interchange near Hinckley in Leicestershire.

The 560-acre Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange in Blaby District, Leicestershire links in to the Nuneaton to Felixstowe rail freight route and could accommodate up to nine million sq ft of associated warehouse space (some of it mezzanine).

It is located close to Junction 2 of the M69 motorway connecting the M6 near Coventry and the M1 motorway near Leicester.

The proposals would deliver a multi-purpose cargo interchange and distribution facility, alongside new and improved rail and road connections.

The site lies to the north-east of Hinckley town centre, bordered by the Nuneaton-Felixstowe railway line to the west, and the M69 motorway to the east. This would be served by an intermodal rail freight terminal, with rail-linked buildings provided according to demand.

Due to the size of the proposals, the application will be classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and will ultimately be determined by the Secretary of State for Transport.

A public consultation will take place later in 2018. All feedback received during the consultation will be considered ahead of the plans being finalised. The final proposals are expected to be issued to the Planning Inspectorate in mid-2019.

A spokesperson from dbSymmetry said: “We are confident that our plans complement the County’s ambitions for regional growth, especially as the site is located within an identified key area of opportunity within the Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Distribution Sector Study Final Report.

“While the plans are at the early stages, initial discussions are currently being held with key statutory stakeholders to progress the proposals further.”