DHL 1m sq ft Lutterworth warehouse to be ‘reconsidered’

IDI Gazeley’s planning application to create a 1 million sq ft warehouse for DHL at its Magna Park Lutterworth scheme in the East Midlands, is to be reconsidered by Harborough Council.

The application had been agreed at the end of January 2016 however after taking legal advice following a clarification of the law in a recent High Court case which relates to handling of heritage sites and planning; the council is reconsidering IDI Gazeley’s DHL application as it involves a national and statutorily protected heritage site and Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM): the nearby Bittesby Deserted Medieval Village.

The council said re-consideration of the planning application would allow for the proper and robust interpretation and application of national policy. It will also enable members of the planning committee to consider the final version of the section 106 agreement – a legal agreement ensuring developers contribute towards any necessary supportive infrastructure.

Cllr Jo Brodrick, Harborough District Council’s portfolio holder for planning and regeneration, said: “It is of the utmost importance to the council to make sure all national planning policy is taken into account when considering planning applications. For this reason, this planning application will be taken back to committee to ensure any decision reached is robust and in line with current planning policy.”

IDI Gazeley’s application relates to land to the north west of Mere Lane, Bittesby, near Lutterworth.

It proposes a 1,085,475.782 sq ft storage and distribution centre with offices on land adjoining and linked to Magna Park, including formation of an access road from Magna Park, erection of a gatehouse, creation of roundabouts, partial realignment of Mere Lane, an upgrade of the A5 road to dual carriageway, and the creation of drainage facilities, the associated infrastructure and landscaping works.

The council is meeting to re-consider the application on 13th July.

Two separate planning applications for storage and distribution centres at Magna Park are set to be considered by the council’s planning committee later in the year.