In summary I believe elements of the plan are unsound on the basis of Positively Prepared, Justified, Effective and Consistent with National Policy.

More detail is provided against the relevant points below but in summary my view is:

* It will not create a greater breadth of employment opportunities.
* It will not lead to opportunities for local skilled workers to save out commuting.
* As a result, positions will be filled by those having to commute into Magna Park.
* It is not rail served.
* There is no provision to improve the road network in the surrounding area to cope with the logistics and commuter traffic.
* It will have an unacceptable impact on the environment and the landscape.
* It will contribute further to the poor air quality in the area.
* 700k sq mtrs of warehousing is not strategic, it is opportunistic.
* It is likely to lead to an oversupply of warehousing/distribution land.

The local plan should be modified to not include any major expansion of Magna Park over and the above the 100,000 sq mtrs recently approved.

Reconsider how the strategic aims can be met. Further research is required to identify how any expansion of Magna Park could provide an environment that generates higher skilled, higher knowledge-based employment such as the creation of a science and technology park to attract hi tech and innovative businesses. This will fulfil the criteria for:

"Reducing dependence of Harborough's residents on commuting and increasing wage rates by providing a breadth of employment alternatives, including more opportunities for Harborough's higher skilled residents"


The result would be:
* Avoid the mass creation of low skilled jobs that would not be filled by local residents.
* Avoid the unnecessary loss of productive farmland and impact on the landscape
* Avoid adding to the already high levels of traffic congestion and exacerbating the already non-compliant levels of air pollution particularly in Lutterworth.