Representation by Stoney Stanton Parish Council (Stoney Stanton Parish Council)
- Date submitted
- 23 June 2023
- Submitted by
- Parish councils
Stoney Stanton Parish Council - Relevant Representation Stoney Stanton forms a settlement located less than 1.5 kilometres from the proposed Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (NRFI). Stoney Stanton has a population of 4,608 in 2021 and is the largest Fosse Village, the area in which the development is located. Being one of the closest villages to the proposed facility, the impact upon Stoney Stanton is considered to be severe with inadequate mitigation achievable to reduce this harm. It is considered that this proposal should be refused. The area consists of modest sized settlements that are relatively closely positioned to each other with important green countryside spaces between each location aiding to protect the character, form and distinctiveness of each settlement. The proposed rail freight interchange and associated logistics park will significantly undermine these established qualities. Concern is raised in respect of the principle of the development. It is challenged whether there is robust evidence to support the provision of a new facility in this specific location, given the sequential assessment undertaken to date on alternatives. It has focused solely on Leicestershire for a national infrastructure project, and despite using the precursor requirement that it should be located to the south-west of Leicester, has assessed alternative sites outside of this geographical remit within the county. The evidence base therefore contradicts itself. Establishing whether the location is correct is a principle key issue. An overarching issue within the information provided relates to the baseline used by the various reports. Dependent upon the exact layout constructed, the expected number of employees on site is stated to be between 8,400 and 10,400. However, all reports should be considering the higher level as this accords with the development quantum that can be delivered based on the parameter plans. Importantly, the highway modelling is understood to be based against the lower figure of 8,400 employees and thus under-represents employee transport movements by 23.8%. This has significant implications for all highway junction improvements and associated noise and air quality reports if also based against this lower transport increase. Key areas of concern relate to: - Site selection process (insufficient sites considered to reflect wider national requirement and the more localised sites assessed) - Location (effect on character, function and distinctiveness of the Fosse Villages) - Socio Economic Effects (benefits overstated and harms underplayed) - Highways (traffic numbers, modelling, safety and mitigation) - Noise and air quality - Landscape and visual impact, including harm from lighting - Ecology, including harm from lighting - Surface water and flood risk