Representation by Jane Carroll
- Date submitted
- 15 June 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I have serious concerns about the proposed HNRFI and how it will have a detrimental effect on the surrounding ecology and environment if it should go ahead. It will alter the heritage and identity of the local villages and surrounding landscape, affecting air quality, causing noise and lighting pollution during construction stage and once fully in operation. My key concerns and issues are as follows: The purpose has changed from the original consultation documents, indicating a move away from servicing the motor industry in the West Midlands to servicing Leicestershire, providing warehousing. There has been a substantial increase in the warehousing available at Magna Park and A5 sites, such as used by DPD and Amazon facilities. The proximity of many existing RFIs (such as DIRFT and East Midlands Gateway) and the lack of market need in this area, provides a persuasive argument to consider alternative sites. Especially in areas of more need or covered by the levelling up agenda. Where will the end users come from for this new facility to meet the projections without impacting on employment in other areas. Much of the Highways modelling has been conducted on proposals that are no longer going ahead and lower numbers of traffic than is currently experienced. The primary junctions in Stoney Stanton, and other areas, are already under pressure and suffer as a result of current traffic loads. The documentation identifies adverse impacts however there is no mitigation and sensitivity receptors are not acknowledged. The impact on the down time for the Narborough Station crossing is underestimated and there is no mitigation as to how road traffic will move and avoid serious delays and pressure on village routes. The transport proposals do not line up in respect of electric vehicles, sustainability, and renewables. The infrastructure will not hit any of the requirements by the time it opens. The proposed site is located in an area which already floods on an annual basis. Surveys, reports and consequent mitigation should be re-assessed. Particularly regarding redirected water flows into the Stoney Stanton catchment, and with reference to the risk factors assigned to recent flooding events in the local area, specifically the flooding in 2019. The loss of extensive green field site next to Burbage Common and Woods and Aston Firs, identified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, is of concern. The Nature Reserve and SSSI combined is a site of national importance in terms of ecology, habitat and species. The impact of this proposal will result in the loss of identity of the surrounding villages.