Hinckley rail freight interchange – what happens next and when will …
People have made their voices heard over the proposed £750 million rail freight interchange[1] on land east of Hinckley. Residents and public bodies have submitted representations to the Planning Inspectorate ahead of the next stage of the decision process.
Many of those who are opposed to the development argue it will have a major impact on the environment. Meanwhile, others believe it will boost the local economy.
Here, LeicestershireLive[2] takes a look at what’s happened so far, what happens next, who will decide whether it can go ahead, and when we can expect to hear if it has received the green light.
What is the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI)?
The HNRFI is a proposed scheme to build a rail hub that developer Tritax says will remove up to 300,000 lorry trips per year from the roads. The plans include 9.1 million sq ft of warehouses and could create almost 8,500 jobs. It is earmarked for land between Hinckley[4] and the village of Elmesthorpe.
Who makes the decision?
Due to their national significance, the plans will be considered by the Planning Inspectorate rather than by local councils, with the Secretary of State responsible for the Government body – currently Michael Gove – having the ultimate say on the decision.
What has happened so far?
Since plans were submitted by Tritax to the Planning Inspectorate earlier this year, the process has been in the ‘pre-examination’ stage. Those who wanted to comment or object were invited to register their interest so they can give more detailed responses at a future date.
The proposed development has proved controversial, with MPs Alberto Costa and Dr Luke Evans, representing South Leicestershire and Bosworth respectively, previously calling on the Transport Secretary[5] to put a stop to it.
Leicestershire county councillor David Bill told LeicestershireLive this week that it is a ‘most unwelcome proposal’ which has been ‘hanging’ over residents.” He said: “There is a need to move freight back on to the railways but no justification for such a site here.”
While Terence Richardson, the leader of Blaby District Council[6] leader recently said he hadn’t seen a single public comment[7] in support of the scheme. However, Nick Payne, development director at developer Tritax Symmetry, has said it polled a thousand residents who were ‘keen to see new investment in the area that our scheme could deliver’.
What happens next?
The Planning Inspectorate will invite those who have registered their interest in making a representation to provide more details in writing during the examination stage of the process.
It will consider ‘important and relevant matters’, including written accounts from local residents, and supporting evidence that has been submitted to the inspectorate or given at hearings. This process should take up to six months.
When can we expect a decision?
It won’t be a speedy decision, with the final judgement on whether the scheme can go ahead expected about a year after the start of the examination stage. A report, including recommendations, has to be given to the Secretary of State within three months of the examination stage finishing. The Secretary of State then has another three months to make the decision on whether or not to give approval.
Is that the end of the process?
Not necessarily. Once the decision has been announced, the decision can be challenged in the High Court for up to six weeks.
References
- ^ £750 million rail freight interchange (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ LeicestershireLive (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Objectors to rail hub scheme fear ‘concreting’ of the countryside and impact on roads (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Hinckley (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ calling on the Transport Secretary (www.business-live.co.uk)
- ^ Blaby District Council (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ a single public comment (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)