DHL warehouse Public Inquiry opens 

By Liza Helps Property Editor Logiscts Matters

The proposals were rejected by West Northamptonshire Council planning committee in September last year despite recommendations for approval by planning officers as reported in Logistics Matters.

DHL appealed and now a public inquiry has started with the Planning Inspector adjudicating.

The proposals garnered strong opposition from the local community with  more than 1,100 letters of objection as well as objections from Towcester Council and 16 further parish councils, the British Horse Society, and Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE). Conservative MP Sarah Bool as well as a number of councillors, have supported campaigners against the development with one councillor directly criticising the West Northamptonshire Council’s planning department as ‘inadequate’ and ‘useless’.

The scheme would have seen DHL secure an initial 250,000 ft2 BREEAM Excellent distribution centre as well as land for a new home for Towcester Town Football Club. 

Planning officers supported the scheme as it would have provided the local sub regional economy with 1,300 full time equivalent jobs and provided a £50 million a year GDV. Planning officers had said the level of economic growth in this location is supported by the development plan and other council adopted strategies, as well as the NPPF.

The planning committee initially refused the application following concerns regarding  traffic chaos, the developments scale and whether or not there was any real demand for warehousing  in the area.

The inquiry is due to end on February 28^th.