There have been calls for the extension of the consultation into the new rail and freight hub earmarked for the Ravenscraig site.
The Russell Group is seeking permission to build a railhead logistics hub at the former industrial site at a cost of around £200 million.
The proposed development would serve as the company’s UK headquarters and would include a training academy while also functioning as a “test bed” for innovation in the transport industry.
The proposed consultation runs until Wednesday, December 9, and local Labour councillor Kenneth Duffy says this doesn’t allow for an acceptable timeframe.
The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that public engagement has to be done online with the public still having to adapt to changing rules and restrictions.
Councillor Duffy believes leniency has to be shown in order to make sure that residents have the opportunity to have their say.
He said: “Covid-19 has fundamentally changed the way of life for many residents and this issue is no different.
“Given that we are all currently still adapting to our new normal, I believe a recognition of that fact should be taken into consideration by the council and the consultation process for this development extended.
“Taking the public with us on these kinds of developments is key and my concern is that the proposed timetable for the current consultation period is simply not sufficient.
“A simple extension to give residents more opportunity to have their say will result in a much better process, not only for my constituents but the council too.”
Developers said the hub would create 200 jobs when operational.
If the plans are approved, construction work would begin towards the end of 2021 with the first phase of the development expected to be completed by early
2023.
Kenneth Russell, director at Russell Group, said: “Ravenscraig is set to be one of the best-connected locations in Scotland and is uniquely positioned to be home to our planned headquarters and logistics hub.
“We are hugely excited by the potential of this development.”
