Public inquiry hears concerns over warehousing bid

Staunch, which stands for Save Titchmarsh and Upper Nene Countryside and Habitat, fought for the appeal to be dismissed

A large warehouse development has been described as "greed for a few" as people pleaded with a planning inspector to dismiss the scheme.

A public inquiry was held on Tuesday for the development near Thrapston, Northamptonshire, which is currently at appeal.

Supporters of the proposal, which could see 200,000 sqm of warehousing built on open fields known as Castle Manor Farm, said it would create about 2,700 jobs and meet a need for logistics in the area.

But Sharon Cole, from local campaign group Staunch, branded the proposals, next to Haldens Parkway and the A14, as "greed for the few that will destroy the quality of life for the many".

More than 100 members of the public attended the public inquiry, with more than 20 vocalising their objections

Objections to the scheme included concerns about country lanes becoming rat-runs, ruined views from nearby towns and villages, and the effects on wildlife.

Speaking on "behalf of the birds and the animals that can't speak for themselves", John Franklin said: "How is it right that these developers assume they can play God over the lives of our wildlife?

"We need to protect our green and pleasant land from this onslaught of warehouse construction."

North Northamptonshire Council have argued for the appeal scheme to be turned down, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Developers IM Properties and Harworth Group backed their view that logistics development was desperately needed within North Northamptonshire.

The testimony from residents will also be considered in the government-appointed planning inspector's decision.

'Catastrophic threat'

Jayne Rolfe, the manager of Titchmarsh community shop, said the Upper Nene Valley was an important tourist attraction for the area.

She said the business wouldn't survive with just visitors from the village alone if the views were destroyed by "out-of-place big box sheds".

"A development of such magnitude would destroy our village as we know it," Ms Rolfe said.

Member of the Titchmarsh History Association, Ian Curtis, said the development was "larger than the village itself" and represented the "most catastrophic threat to the heritage of our village in several generations".

Planning applicants, Equites Newlands, said the employment site would create about 2,700 jobs and emphasised the "unmet need" for logistics in the area.

Dr R Catchpole, the planning inspector, will reach a verdict after the public inquiry, expected to finish on 13 August.