Weekley Hall Wood: Public inquiry begins into warehouse plans

Campaigners said it was the last chance to save the Northamptonshire woodland

A public inquiry to decide if warehouses can be built at a popular woodland site is to begin.

An inspector will hear evidence over the next eight days and rule whether building should be allowed at Weekley Hall Woods in Kettering, Northants.

The decision is to be made by the government rather than local councillors after the developer claimed the process was taking too long.

A petition against the plan has been signed by 23,000 people.

One of the campaigners, Toby, 17, said the wood attracted lizards, birds and deer

Buccleuch Property originally applied to build up to six warehouses on the land in 2020, and took action when no decision had been made three years later.

The company said it had "reluctantly concluded" an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate was "the only way forward".

The "Save Weekley Hall Wood" campaign group described the site as a "much-loved area of natural beauty" that provided a habitat for wildlife including frogs, deer and lizards.

Evidence will be heard from campaigners at the council offices in Thrapston, where two evening sessions have been arranged to allow more people to speak.

A spokesperson for North Northamptonshire Council, which will also be represented, said: "The applicant's decision to register an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate means that they will be responsible for the determination of the application."

Last year, a single warehouse was approved at the site to expand the existing IM Kelly facility.

Campaigners said the wood was "a much-loved area of natural beauty"