Planning approval has been given for a £30 million warehouse complex in north west Leicestershire, which could eventually employ 1,000 people.
Gazeley UK has got the go-ahead for the 68-acre site development on the former UK Coal Lounge Coal Preparation and Disposal Point, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch,
The land, which is now disused, falls within North West Leicestershire’s Local Plan which identifies it as “suitable for employment provision”.
Planning for what will be called G Park, was approved by the district council last Wednesday.
As well as warehousing, G Park will also include offices, service yards, HGV parking and security facilities as well as internal roads along with pedestrian and cycling paths.
Developer Gazeley expects the site to create between 880 and 990 full-time jobs as well as up to 510 more positions indirectly.
Gazeley, which owns Magna Park, near Lutterworth, will also contribute £750,000 to upgrade nearby roads as part of the planning terms.
Objections to the plans included concerns about the size and scale of the building, traffic issues and the impact on air quality.
Among the chief objectors was Ashby Civic Society, which said the scheme would “swallow up” more fields in open countryside, replacing them with visually intrusive six-storey-high warehouses.
In a letter of objection, the society said: “There is no economic sense in this project.
“The jobs provided by this facility would not go to employees in the local area.
“And there are many large distribution centres within eight miles of Ashby offering over 10,000 jobs.
“Why, then, proceed with this monstrous, ugly building if there is no chance of locals filling the vacancies?”
Councillor Nigel Smith, chair of NWLDC’s Planning Committee, said: “This was a difficult decision for the committee but on balance the opportunity to bring new jobs to North West Leicestershire on land already earmarked for employment provision proved decisive.
“The last nine months have been very difficult nationally, but this development offers a real economic boost for our district and new jobs for local people in the coming years of recovery from Covid-19.”
Planning officers at the district council have recommended councillors on the development control committee approve the scheme.
A Gazeley spokesman said: “The proposed development is in a location close to major road networks and therefore is easily accessed.
“The proposal will facilitate a significant new commercial investment and the creation of new jobs which will have a major benefits for the local economy.
“It reflects a commitment to bring forward new investment opportunities to a priority area and provide much needed jobs in the wider area and thus inject growth into the local economy.”
