Plans in for Cutacre logistics hub

PLANS have been submitted for the redevelopment of the former Cutacre opencast coal mine into a major logistics base.

Rotherham-based Harworth Estates has already signed up Aldi to the scheme at junction 4 of the M61 which plans to move its regional head office from Stakehill Industrial Estate to a new 440,000 sq ft building which will be the first phase.

The site, on the border of Salford and Bolton, is being branded Logistics North.

Consultant DTZ has submitted a hybrid application for Harworth which includes outline approval for the Logistics North masterplan and full consent for a spine road and other site infrastructure.

Permission was granted for opencast mining at the site in 2001 and over a million tonnes of coal was extracted between 2006 and 2011 when it closed. Under an original agreement the opencast site was to be turned into a country park and a change by Harworth to dedicate 250-acres to a logistics park has attracted significant opposition from residents. It is still committed to a 600-acre country park at the site which is the subject of a separate application.

An earlier planning consent, giving approval to industrial use of the site, has now lapsed. DTZ’s planning statement says the scheme will progress in four to eight stages over five to fifteen years.

Harworth could not be reached for comment.