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Haulage firm Eddie Stobart has been given the go-ahead for a controversial lorry park in the south Leicestershire countryside.
Developer Gazeley UK has gained planning permission to lay the 140-space lorry depot and 170-space car park on a 16-acre greenfield site next to Magna Park, the warehousing development it manages near Lutterworth.
Stobart — which recently took over a 275,000sq ft warehouse in Magna Park — needs to relocate an existing lorry park from the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal, 10 miles away.
About 240 people will work from the new depot, and the developers said about 100 new jobs will be created.
Gwyn Stubbings is planning manager for Gazeley. He said: "The planning application was introduced to the council by the planning officer who said job creation and the economic growth it will bring outweighed issues relating to visual impact and noise and pollution.
It is understood buying and developing the land will cost Stobart about £10 million.
As well as lorry parking, the site will have spaces for drivers to leave cars, as well as a two-storey gatehouse, offices and a vehicle maintenance area.
Councillors and residents had raised concerns about the scale and location of the development, causing a full meeting of Harborough District Council to consider the plans on Tuesday. Following recommendations from officers and approval from an earlier planning committee meeting, the Tory council gave the green light after being swayed by the potential economic benefits.
Mr Stubbings said the permission was subject to conditions including lorries going to and from the site avoiding Lutterworth and villages.
Councillor Rosita Page, who represents Ullesthorpe, had urged the council to say no because of traffic concerns.
Work on the plans will start in the new year
