Plans to build a National Distribution Hub on Green Belt land in South Warrington should be reviewed by the Secretary Of State says Prospective MP Andy Carter.
"I was incredibly disappointed to see Warrington’s Planning Committee approve the application by Eddie Stobart to build onland in Appleton Thorn earlier this week. The decision was taken despite strong opposition from local residents and in my opinion goes against National Planning Guidance, where there is a presumption against development on protected land".
In a letter to residents he says this application presumes that this Green Belt land will be earmarked for development in the new Borough Plan. "The process of consulting on the Local Plan has not yet been finalised nor has it been scrutinised and tested by an Independent Planning Inspector. Moreover, it undermines public confidence in the plan making process which should lead the planning process".
"Indeed, there may be more suitable land for employment use elsewhere in the Borough such as Fiddlers Ferry Power Station which will close next year. Re-generating brownfield sites whenever possible is an absolute priority for this Government and I feel certain that the excellent transport links, including a rail line would provide a better, more sustainable location for a distribution/logistics hub to serve the North West region".
Given the scale and impact on the wider community, Andy has written to Robert Jenrick MP, the Secretary of State for Communities, Local Government and Housing to ask him to begin a process of ‘call in’ where there can be a full and open public enquiry into the proposed development. He's now urging other residents to write.
Andy says he will continue to make the case against further applications to build even larger Logistics Park at Junction 20 of the M6, which will be considered by Warrington’s Planning Committee in the coming months.
The Planning Casework Unit is responsible for central Government appeals and anyone can write to the Minister to request a ‘call in’. The contact details for the PCU are:
Planning Casework Unit
5 St Philips Place
Colmore Row
Birmingham
M3 2PW
Or via email: [email protected]
