Agenda item

Land At Sawley Crossroads Sawley  

The Principal Planning Officer presented the report to Members.

Mr R Labbett, on behalf of the applicant, addressed the committee. He advised Members that the comprehensive report addressed the key issues and that the company felt that there was a pressing need for a distribution centre in the East Midlands. He stated that the location was ideal and would be able to deliver the scheme in the timescales required. He informed Members that the centre would bring £50 million worth of investment to the area, create 400 jobs in the first phase and 600 jobs at a later time. He stated that the building would be energy efficient and that a travel plan had been submitted which included a commitment to provide a free six month bus pass. He added that if the application was permitted work would start in the autumn hoping to complete in 2017.

The officer’s recommendation was moved by Councillor J Hoult and seconded by Councillor G Jones.

Councillor J Hoult stated that he was happy to move the officer’s recommendation.

Councillor R Canny expressed sadness for the proposed loss of the last green area through building and that she could understand why companies wanted to build in the area due to the good transport links. She stated that the site of the former power station would be more suitable as the proposed site had no sewage facilities, was not sustainable, was outside the limits to development and reduced the area of separation between villages.

Councillor G Jones stated that he was happy to second the officer’s recommendation and commented that he had had concerns that there was no mention of green energy in the report but was pleased to see solar panels on the illustrations. He added his support for more jobs to be created in the area.

Following a question from Councillor R Adams, the Head of Planning and Regeneration advised Members that there was no guarantee where future employees would live and that it was not reasonable to specify this in detail within the section 106.

Councillor J Legrys expressed concerns that the site was outside the limits to development, that the application went against Policy S3 of the Local Plan, the site was too close to Hemington Hall and that North West Leicestershire would be providing jobs for residents in other districts such as Erewash, South Derbyshire and Rushcliffe, adding that even though it was not a planning issue he felt it was wrong for North West Leicestershire to do this. He stated that he had worked in the area for many years and had witnessed severe flooding around the proposed site as there was not sufficient drainage.

Councillor M Specht highlighted the phrase ‘North West Leicestershire is a place that people want to live and work’ and the main issue for families was to ensure that they could put food on the table with a feel good factor. He added that Councillors should be proud that the company wanted to locate to the district.

Councillor D Everitt agreed with Councillor M Specht stating that he was in favour of the creation of jobs and had no issue with the location of the site.

Councillor R Johnson thanked the officer for a comprehensive report and stated he was excited about the jobs for the area, but wondered if the applicant had considered the Ellistown site as a more suitable location.

The Principal Planning Officer advised the Committee that the applicant had given consideration to the Paragon site at Ellistown however had ruled it out due to the length of time it would take to get on the site.

Councillor R Canny stated that she was sad to see which way the application was going and that the applicant should consider that there were more suitable sites if they were happy to give the project a little more time.

Councillor G A Allman stated that 1,000 jobs were jobs and that the Council deserved a pat on the back for supporting the application.

Councillor N Smith expressed concerns over the vast height and size of the proposed building compared with the proposed landscaping bund and felt that the applicant should plant some five to six metre high semi/mature trees to provide some screening.

In response to a question from Councillor N Smith, the Principal Planning Officer advised Members that there would be a landscaping condition included and that a note to the applicant could be added to provide a steer toward the use of semi/mature trees.

RESOLVED THAT:

The application be permitted in accordance with the recommendation of the Head of Planning and Regeneration.