Magna Park protesters fear more pollution, traffic for Lutterworth - The Rugby Observer

Magna Park protesters fear more pollution, traffic for Lutterworth

Rugby Editorial 4th Nov, 2015 Updated: 27th Oct, 2016   0

LUTTERWORTH could become more polluted and congested if plans to expand Magna Park are approved, a local campaign group has warned.

The Cotesbach Action Group has called for residents to object to the plans before the town becomes the only route for lorries travelling to and from the industrial estate.

The expansion plans include a 590-acre extension to the existing plot, and a further 25 acres for a brand new warehouse, which would be around the same size as the Millennium Dome.

The expansion will also see changes to road layouts with expected alterations to the A5 and A4303.




A spokesman for the group said: “Traffic levels and pollution are already major issues for Lutterworth. This situation will get immeasurably worse as a result of this expansion.

“There is little to no public transport to Magna Park. The additional employees would be drawn from a wide area around the park and have to travel by car through the villages and Lutterworth.


“There will be a massive increase in the amount of lorries. The local roads and roundabouts are already congested with unacceptably high levels of pollution according to EU standards.”

The campaign group also fears any new builds will alter the landscape of Lutterworth forever.

The spokesman added: “These proposals are for warehousing on current farmland. Once this is lost, it will be gone forever.”

The site of the proposed warehouse was previously occupied by Bitteswell Aerodrome, which was originally established for military purposes before the Second World War. It was later used for civilian aircraft servicing and testing which ceased in the early 1980s.

As of October 29, there have been almost 1,400 objections to the plans. Plans can be viewed online at www.harborough.gov.uk/planning.

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