5,500 jobs on the way as developer gets go-ahead for Magna Park extension

Up to 5,500 jobs could be created in Leicestershire after the owners of Magna Park were given the go-ahead by a planning inspector to build a 420,000 sq ft extension to the complex.

The news is the latest twist in a long-running saga that has involved IDI Gazeley initially being refused permission to extend Magna Park after protests from local residents against the expansion.

Harborough District Council’s planning committee had previously refused planning permission in January 2018, at a meeting held at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground and Aerodrome, after listening to a number of speakers for and against the application.

Following a public inquiry at the Harborough District Council chamber, which concluded earlier this month, the planning inspector leading the inquiry ruled that planning permission should be granted to IDI Gazeley to build a storage and distribution centre, country park, Logistics Institute of Technology and other facilities, at land at Mere Lane, Bittesby.

A statement from the group opposing the development said: “The last hope of saving our local area from further development at Magna Park has gone.

“The Appeal Inspector has allowed the appeal so Gazeley can now go ahead and build even more warehouses along the A5, Mere Lane and up towards Ullesthorpe and the Claybrooke’s.

“Thanks to everyone for their amazing support and contributions over the past four years. It just seems a shame that the interests of big business come before those of residents.”