Object
Harborough Local Plan 2011-2031, Proposed Submission
Representation ID: 6087
Received: 17/11/2017
Respondent: Mr Timothy Ottevanger
Legally compliant? No
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? No
A number of SRFIs already exist, are under construction or being planned within or close to the LLEP area, and another which is not a strategic one. Cheaper non rail-served sites have the potential to undermine the economic viability of such sites because of lower costs. The NPS states the environmental advantages of SRFIs but the plan ignores these.
I am concerned that the draft Local Plan has the potential to undermine environmentally less damaging strategic rail-served interchanges, such as DIRFT, 9 miles down the A5, which is currently being expanded, and East Midlands Gateway, currently under construction. Harborough Council will also be well aware of plans being developed for a SRFI at Stoney Stanton within the county in neighbouring Hinckley District. A 74,976 sq.m. project (non-strategic) approved at Ashby de la Zouch (North-west Leicestershire District) has been advertised for the last two years, for which the developers IDI Gazeley, who seek to expand Magna Park, have, it would appear, yet to find tenants. The Local Plan ignores the government's National Policy Statement for National Networks (NPS), which postdates the NPPF.
The lower cost of building non rail-served sites will be passed down to the occupiers and thus favour these sites over the more expensive rail-served projects.