South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa is urging his constituents to register to have their say on the proposals for the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI).
Members of the public and local organisations have until 23rd June to register as an ‘Interested Party’ with the Planning Inspectorate, which will allow them to formally comment during the Examination Stage of the site’s planning application, which may last for six months.
Alberto recently sent a survey to almost 6,000 households in the ten villages located closest to the proposed rail hub site near Elmesthorpe asking local residents for their views.
Alberto has long opposed the plans for the HNRFI mentioning the site’s potential to overburden local infrastructure, the environmental impact on nearby Burbage Common and the effect it will have on the level crossing at Narborough Train Station.
The MP has previously led debates in the House of Commons on the plans for the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI) and has joined with Dr Luke Evans, MP for Bosworth, in recently meeting with the Rail Minister to discuss the Government policy about the placement of new Rail Freight Interchanges.
Alberto said, “With the application for the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI) now progressing, I would really encourage all my constituents across South Leicestershire to please make their representations to the Planning Inspectorate. This is a valuable opportunity for residents to engage in the planning process, to submit their comments and to have their voices heard.
“My office will also soon be making further representations to the Planning Inspectorate, and as ever, I will continue working closely with my constituency neighbour Dr Luke Evans MP in standing up for our constituents against this unwanted and unnecessary development”.
Blaby District Councillors for the Fosse Highcross ward, Cllr Ben Taylor & Cllr Mike Shirley added, “As Fosse Highcross ward Councillors, the proposals for the HNRFI sit almost completely within our District ward. We have been working with residents and parishes to register and sign up as an ‘Interested Party’, this gives residents a chance to have their say.”
“We continue to believe that the proposals will create a number of significant negative impacts upon the natural and built environments surrounding the site, the current mitigations proposed do not appropriately alleviate these harms.”
“Over the next year, along with our Fosse Villages colleagues, we will continue to work together in opposing the HNRFI plans.”
Residents and organisations can register with the planning Inspectorate as an Interested Party to comment on the proposals for the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange here: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/East%20Midlands/Hinckley-National-Rail-Freight-Interchange/
