Stobart withdraws new site proposal
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STOBART GROUP has withdrawn its proposals for a new depot in Lutterworth after concerns were raised over possible looding at the site.
Last Tuesday (6 March), Harborough District Council was due to debate the application submitted on behalf of Stobart by Magna Park owners Gazeley UK, for an ofice complex and 130 LGV parking spaces at the former George clothing site at the park.
Gazeley, however, withdrew the plans shortly before the hearing, saying there were several technical issues with the application that needed to be resolved.
In January, Stobart revealed it is to close its Corby and Alcester distribution centres, putting approximately 250 jobs at risk.
The 100 jobs at the Magna Park site would have been taken by employees moving from the other sites.
Gwyn Stubbings, planning manager at Gazeley UK, tells CM: “There were issues with the Environment Agency, which had some concerns about looding, and with Leicestershire County Council’s highways team, which had requested some more information. We will be re-submitting the application once we have dealt with those issues. Stobart is committed to working at Magna Park – the irm already occupies one unit and has submitted plans for another warehouse.” In their pre-committee report, local planning oficers recommended that the application be refused on the basis that the facility could be detrimental to the countryside and that they needed more information about the potential increase in local trafic.
Stobart Group says it will not comment on the decision to withdraw the application.