Developer told to 'look again' at warehouse plan
HBBCA decision over a warehouse on the edge of a town in Leicestershire has been deferred by planners.
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council's planning committee met on Wednesday to decide whether or not to approve a 95,000 sq ft storage unit, on land next to Hammonds Way and Nutts Lane in Hinckley.
Hannah Swanstone, for applicant Hinckley Investment LLP, said the site had been "vacant" and "run down for more than a decade" and said the plan was "the very best scheme to meet the needs of employment space".
But the Local Democracy Reporting Service said councillors put off a decision, asking developers to "look again" over fears the plan would tower over homes and cause issues on the nearby A5.
HBBCA report showed the plan comprises an industrial unit and offices, which would be located near the A5 Watling Street, home to a bridge once dubbed "Britain's most bashed".
Councillor Ann Pendlebury told the committee the warehouse would be 16.5m (54ft) tall "in this long-established residential area", and raised concerns about how the warehouse and offices would operate 24/7, potentially causing noise and light pollution.
Councillor Keith Lynch said he "liked" the design of the warehouse but said: "Those lorries are going to be rolling in and out of there day and night - that would add to the disturbance of people already living there.
"Personally, I think the developers can do better than this. It may involve lowering the building. It may involve moving it away. It may somewhat improve the situation."
And councillor Richard Allen said: "There's got to be something that can be done to reduce the impact on those residents.
"I admit that would have a cost implication but that's not a concern for this committee.
"With a little bit of imagination, there's probably a solution in there somewhere."
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