The public consultation for Tritax Symmetry’s Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange, which could see up to 850,000 m2 of buildings for logistics use created, has begun.
The proposed site is to the north-east of Hinckley – partially within the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough with the majority situated within the Blaby District – and would be based close to Junction 2 of the M69 to the north of Burbage Common.
The Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI) is proposed to include:
- New rail infrastructure off the Leicester to Hinckley railway
- A rail port capable of accommodating up to 16 trains per day
- Up to 850,000 m2 of buildings for logistics use
- Lorry park with welfare facilities and HGV fuelling facilities
- Provision of south facing slip roads on to Junction 2 of the M69
- A new link road from the modified M69 Junction 2 to the B4668/A47 Leicester Road
- Improvements to existing highway junctions in the area around the site
- Landscaping including footpath and cycle links
It is understood that up to 16.18 hectares (equivalent to 40 acres) of land would be used for the construction of a rail terminal for the loading and unloading of freight trains under the proposals.
Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council and Blaby District Council are statutory consultees and will not be deciding the application and any comments or questions should be directed to Tritax Symmetry representatives. Due to the size of the proposed development, it is classed as a ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project’ and any decision will be made by the Secretary of State for Transport.
Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Leader, Stuart Bray, said: “I urge as many people as possible to take part in this consultation and review the fine detail of the consultation plan and documents. One of the traffic mitigation options is to provide a link road from the proposed site to Leicester Road. This will effectively mean motorway traffic running directly adjacent to the Common.
“I am deeply concerned about the huge environmental impact this will have on Burbage Common and the local area and I know this will concern other people. We are also yet to see any figures about the projected lorry traffic in and out of the site, something which is a key issue for residents in the area.
“While we will not be deciding any application, as a statutory consultee the council will be reviewing the plans and offering our own detailed responses to Tritax and the Planning Inspectorate. The Borough Council remains firmly committed to opposing these plans.”
Chair of the HNRFI Working Group for the Borough Council, Councillor Paul Williams, added: “During the consultation, councillors will be robustly challenging the information made available about this proposal and pressing for this to be shared with the public so that they can fully assess the impact this development will have on our environment and quality of life.”
Councillor Terry Richardson, Leader of Blaby District Council, said: “We know the scale and size of the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange is concerning for many residents and that’s why it is vital that people engage with this consultation.
“We are urging everyone to look at the information and share this with those you know in the community. We have been consistently clear with Tritax that they should share as much information as possible, and in this respect I can advise you that your Councillors have already asked numerous questions to which we are awaiting an urgent response.
“In addition we want to reiterate that whilst we will not be deciding any application, significant work till take place over the next year and more, reviewing the plans and offering our own detailed responses to Tritax and the Planning Inspectorate.”
