Their letter follows the final report from the Planning Inspectorate, which highlighted numerous unresolved issues with the project. In September 2024, under the previous Secretary of State, the Department for Transport said it was ‘minded to refuse’ the application, but has still given the applicant, Tritax Symmetry the opportunity to address some of the major shortcomings of the application.
The MPs have expressed serious concerns about the project's environmental impact, health implications, and the strain on local infrastructure. They emphasised that the proposed development would exacerbate existing challenges in the region, which already hosts significant industrial sites such as Magna Park and several nearby rail freight interchanges.
While the Government has asked the applicant for more information on certain areas before it makes a decision - such as traffic modelling, road safety, and the impact on Narborough Level Crossing – the MPs pointed out that the applicant has failed to address numerous other issues which would have a detrimental cumulative impact on their constituents. key areas where further evidence and mitigation measures are needed, include:
- Environmental and Biodiversity Impact: The project threatens Burbage Common's rural character and ecological value, with insufficient mitigation proposed by the applicant.
- Public Access and Recreation: Proposed severance of Public Rights of Way would reduce access to Burbage Common and harm the mental well-being of residents.
- Health Concerns: Incomplete noise modelling raises serious questions about the project's impact on air quality, noise, and mental health—particularly for vulnerable groups like residents at the Aston Firs Travellers site.
- Cultural Heritage: The project risks harm to heritage assets, including listed churches in Burbage and Barwell, adding to the cumulative impact on the community.
- Overdevelopment of the Area: South Leicestershire and Hinckley already bear a disproportionate share of large-scale logistics and housing developments, risking the balance between residential life and industrial activity.
The MPs also highlighted overwhelming public opposition to the proposals. A survey conducted by Mr. Costa's office found that 94.5% of respondents opposed the HNRFI plans.
The letter calls on the Minister to address these concerns comprehensively before making any decisions and suggests that the applicant has been unable to justify the level of disruption and adverse environmental impacts from the proposed development, nor has the applicant offered adequate mitigations. Mr Costa and Dr Evans remain of the view that HNRFI is a wholly inappropriate development and concur with the Planning Inspectorate’s position that the harms far outweigh the potential benefits.
Alberto Costa Member of Parliament for South Leicestershire said:“This proposal would have a devastating impact on South Leicestershire, which already shoulders more than its fair share of industrial development.
“This plans, if approved, would push many areas to breaking point and the cumulative harm caused—environmental damage, strained infrastructure, and significant disruption to our communities—cannot be justified. The Government must listen to local residents, take heed of the Planning Inspectorate’s findings, and reject these deeply flawed and ill-conceived plans once and for all.
“I strongly urge the new Transport Minister to give serious weight to the overwhelming opposition of local people and to address the clear and unresolved issues identified in the Inspectorate’s report.”
Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Hinckley and Bosworth, said “It’s as clear to me as it is to the public that the local impact of the proposed Hinckley NRFI far outweigh any proposed national benefits, especially when considering the many concerns around the information and the basis being used to justify the proposal.
“I strongly urge everyone across our area who is registered as an Interested Party and wants to have their say on this proposal, to respond to the new information and submit further thoughts to the Planning Inspectorate before the end of January.
“The previous Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh, said she was ‘minded to refuse’ consent as per the Planning Inspector’s recommendation. I hope the new Transport Secretary takes the same view and rejects this proposal for good.”
The applicant, Tritax Symmetry, was given until December 10th to provide requested information to the government and their responses are expected to be published on the Planning Inspectorate website in the coming days. Mr Costa and Dr Evans have encouraged Interested Parties to scrutinise the applicant’s submissions and submit any responses to [email protected] by January 31st 2025.
