The proposal in the plan is not strategic, but opportunistic. trying to fit in two new applications on to a site that had previous been deemed not suitable for expansion in the previous local plan. Two applications have been submitted that total the 700,000 sq mts in the plan demonstrating it is opportunistic.
Research reports (the LLEP SDSS, 2017) have indicated that there is demand for less than this
area of non-rail warehousing across Leicestershire. Thus providing this area of land in one
location would not allow spread across the county and potentially lead to an over supply of
warehousing.

There are very low levels of unemployment in Harborough District, particularly Lutterworth
(less than 2%, Office for National Statistics 2017). Magna Park employers have significant
recruitment issues at the current time with increasing competition from developments at
DIRFT, Rugby and East Midlands amongst others. The low value jobs will therefore be filled from those travelling from outside the ares, impacting on both transport, safety and air quality, which is already very poor in the area.

The plan is not consistent with national policy, which states that distribution should be located near railheads. This is not the case with Magna Park and other sites next to rail heads are already being developed such as at DIRFT.