Regulation 19 - Proposed Draft Local Plan Submission

The identified supply of land for large scale warehousing, comprising existing consents and proposed allocations (including at Magna Park), is inadequate to support the continued growth of the sector.

A more ambitious and responsive land supply strategy is essential to ensure the Local Plan is positively prepared, justified, and effective in meeting the needs of a modern and evolving economy over the plan period.

An additional allocation of 50ha on land off Rugby Road, 0.65km south of Lutterworth and with ease of access to J20 of the M1, should be progressed through the emerging Plan and emerging Policy DS02 should be updated to reflect this.

Conclusions of submitted document:
• The current approach of relying on historic gross completions data (2012–2024) as the primary basis for assessing future strategic warehousing land needs across the FEMA is fundamentally flawed and does not provide a sound or complete basis for forward planning to 2041. This methodology fails to account for key factors including the availability, quality, and location of land, evolving market dynamics, and the increasing operational demands of the warehousing and logistics sector. It also does
not reflect latent or suppressed demand arising from current supply constraints.
• The identified supply, comprising existing consents and proposed allocations (including at Magna Park), is inadequate to support the continued growth of the sector. The warehousing and distribution industry is undergoing structural change, characterised by a shift towards larger, modern, energy-efficient buildings located on well-connected, strategic sites.
• Given its exceptional connectivity at Junction 20 of the M1 and its relationship with the established Magna Park logistics cluster, Harborough District is uniquely positioned to play a leading role in meeting regional and national logistics needs. To support economic growth and respond to market signals, the Local Plan must make provision
for a greater quantum, range and flexibility of large-scale warehousing employment land. This will ensure that the supply pipeline remains robust, responsive to fluctuations,
and capable of accommodating modern occupier requirements, including large-scale units.
• A more ambitious and responsive land supply strategy is essential to ensure the Local Plan is positively prepared, justified, and effective in meeting the needs of a modern
and evolving economy over the plan period.
• For the reasons set out above an additional allocation of 50ha on land off Rugby Road, 0.65km south of Lutterworth and with ease of access to J20 of the M1, should be progressed through the emerging Plan and emerging Policy DS02 should be updated to reflect this.