A CONTROVERSIAL plan to double the size of Europe’s largest distribution park near Lutterworth has finally been approved – nearly 18 months after it was initially rejected.
Following a public inquiry at Harborough District Council, an independent planning inspector has given Magna Park owners IDI Gazeley permission to build up to 420,000 square metres of new offices, storage and distribution units, a Logistics Institute of Technology and other facilities on land at Mere Lane, Bittesby – altogether the size of around 103 football pitches.
Harborough District Council initially approved the planning application in November 2017, but it was called in for review by full council, and the proposal was rejected by 12 votes to 10 the following January.
Allowing an appeal against that decision, the planning inspector ruled the benefits of the proposal outweighed any harm.
IDI Gazeley says the expansion will create 5,800 jobs.
But the Magna Park is Big Enough campaign group argue it would harm the surrounding countryside, including the medieval village near Bitteswell, and choke rural roads with traffic.
