Harborough Local Plan 2011-2031, Proposed Submission

Daventry District Council do not consider that the approach set out in policy BE2 is effective because the level of growth identified in the policy is not based on a thorough assessment of capacity. Such an assessment should consider at least all of the factors proposed as criteria in the policy. The District Council considers further cross-boundary work with stakeholders is required to fully take into account potential impact of different growth scenarios which could in turn indicate the amount of floorspace to be provided for at Magna Park.
In addition the level of growth planned for under policy BE2 is not considered to be justified by evidence. The Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Distribution Sector Study identified a need for non-railed served provision of 152 hectares by 2031. Policy BE2 identified a quantum of 700,000 square metres which relates to the sum total of the undetermined planning applications (approximately 427,200 and 278,709 sqm). The total quantum of land based on the supporting information for the respective planning applications equates to a total site area of approximately 327 hectares. Whilst it is evident that not all the of the land provided will be floorspace, for example infrastructure will be provided and one proposal features a country park it is still in excess of the identified need in one location and therefore not considered to be justified.