At a planning committee meeting on Tuesday 9 December, North West Leicestershire District Council planning committee voted in favour of a large warehouse on Corkscrew Lane in Ashby, despite strong opposition from Ashby Town Councillors. 

The proposal is for an industrial development with offices on a 13.1 hectare site, which is currently agricultural land. 

Councillor Chris Smith, Leader of Ashby Town Council, spoke at the meeting about the concerns the town council had about the warehouse. 

He spoke about how the concerns about the application have increased since Ashby Town Council first objected to the application. 

Cllr Smith said: 'The site on the other side of Corkscrew Lane has not been developed. Remember, this was a green field site until the Lounge Disposal Point was built on the condition that it was returned to greenfield. That never happened, partly because of the opportunity of using a rail link. Which never happened. 

'Further greenfield land was added to the site with land being required for HS2, which hasn't happened. That land is no longer required, but the greenfield is gone. 

'Forgive us if we are a little sceptical about promises made around these development sites. 

'As well as the GPARK site, only a short distance away there is adequate employment land allocated at Money Hill, within in bypass and adjacent to United Biscuits warehouse. This area is generally accepted as contained and agreed as a provider of employer. 

'So, we have the situation where there are two significant areas of employment land within a short distance of this application site, yet more greenfield is required. I can't see the logic of that and I'm sure the majority of Ashby residents will be dumbfounded as to why this is happening. 

'I think we all know that this site is the thin end of a very significant wedge. If this site is agreed, how long will it be before further applications are made along the A511 corridor. They are not before you tonight but the people of Ashby can see it coming, so should you.' 

Cllr Smith also raised concerns about the sustainability of the development, saying: 'Moving on to sustainability. The report says that DHL require buildings that meet the highest level of sustainability to meet their Go Green targets, yet they are unwilling to invest in routes to the site to make them sustainable. 

'Walking or cycling to the site via the A511 is almost impossible yet there are no proposals to upgrade this route to allow safe walking and cycling. 

'The report rightly states there is no footpath on Corkscrew Lane but claims accessing the site via Corkscrew Lane by cycle is "viable". Corkscrew Lane is one of the most aptly named roads in the District - it has a lot of bends. 

'It is dangerous to either walk or cycle now, let alone when the volume of traffic increases. Yet it is proposed as the main sustainable travel route from Ashby with no proposed mitigations. Simply not acceptable. 

'References are made to buses but there are no details on how this would work, no guarantees and potentially just empty promises, similar to those made about the GPARK site.' 

Despites the concerns raised to the District Council on behalf of Ashby residents, the vote was split with five voting for and five against. 

The deciding vote by the Chair was in favour of the application. 

To view the application in full and watch the meeting recording, click here.