Plans to knock down and rebuild a huge warehouse hub on an expanded site have been resubmitted after being turned down in the spring.
Developers want to expand the Neovia site, off Peckleton Lane, in Desford Leicestershire, despite plans being refused a few months ago over concerns the new warehousing would be intrusive for neighbours.
They want to demolish an existing building and create four new units, with some 915,000 sq ft of floor space, on fields to the north of the facility.
READ MORE: {}
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council turned down the last application over concerns that one of the new buildings would impose on neighbouring homes in Peckleton Lane. New homes are currently being built on land opposite the site.
The new plans have set back the unit an additional 60ft from the road and would include a 16ft high embankment along the road, in efforts to address the concern.
When the initial plans were considered, councillors were also worried about the additional traffic to and from the expanded facility, amid on-going issues with HGV traffic headed for the site going through the village.
Big HGVs continue to try and squeeze through the village’s narrow lanes rather than follow the proper route around Desford.
Desford Parish Council sent in comments about the first application, warning that the development would lead to more pressure on the roads in the centre of the village.
Most Read
The authority said that the tight junction at Peckleton Lane and High Street in the village centre and a central roundabout on the main road through the village would become even more congested at peak times if the scheme was approved.
Residents have also complained that workers at the depot clogged up the roads during staff changeover times.
Villagers said the extra traffic caused a bottle-neck near the Co-op in High Street, with Neovia staff using Parkstone Road – close to the village primary school – as a cut-through.
That led Leicestershire Police to speak to managers at the company about the issue and a Neovia representative told LeicestershireLive that it had notified workers and reminded them to follow the signs when arriving and departing.
In 2017, the company paid for new signs to be installed on Manor Road and Station Road, to urge lorries heading to the site to avoid going through Desford.
Pressure on the village's roads has become an issue because of other proposed developments.
Plans for 120 homes at Ashfield Farm, off Kirkby Road, were refused again in December 2020, over traffic concerns and the impact on the landscape.
Don’t miss
However big new housing schemes are going up in Peckleton Lane and Barns Way.
Councillor Robin Webber-Jones, who represents Desford on the borough council, has previously said the village was at “breaking point” in terms of amenities.