Proposals to expand Mercia Park in north west Leicestershire, providing new strategic employment space and boosting economic growth, have been submitted.
The planning application for the expansion of the site, which is near Junction 11 of the M42, has been prepared by IM Properties.
The site, which currently employs more than 2,500 people, is the home of JLR’s Global Logistics Centre (Unipart) and a flagship facility for global transport and logistics company DSV.
If approved, the proposed expansion would provide much-needed space for businesses and build on the success of Mercia Park which has become an important economic asset, delivering jobs as well as training and skills for people during construction and into operation.
Expansion of Mercia Park could create between 1,000 and 1,700 jobs on site once complete and fully operational and deliver an estimated £2.8 million per year in business rates.
Matthew Fox, Planning Director at IM Properties, said: “Mercia Park has demonstrated that it is a leading location for business with excellent transport links and net zero-ready buildings all within a high quality landscaped setting.
“Expansion of this important economic asset would capitalise on the profile and success of the site and provide much-needed new business space to help drive inward investment in Leicestershire.”
Independent of the planning process for the expansion of Mercia Park, IM Properties is shaping proposals to create a new community fund to support projects that strengthen communities or improve the natural environment.
Established to support the first phase of the site, the Mercia Park Community Fund has helped to fund 81 local projects to date. Managed by Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation, the fund typically offered grants of up to £5,000.
