A planning decision could be made before the end of this year over a contentious new residential development in Yorkshire involving construction of a primary school and numerous homes next to the operating sites of two big logistics firms.
The planning application for the Olympia Park development in Selby, which would include up to 985 homes and leisure facilities such as restaurants, sports areas, allotments and a public house, was submitted in May last year by developer BOCM Pauls.
Soon after, concerns were raised by both Potter Logistics and Clipper Logistics , who feared it would lead to direct conflict between their operations and local residents, which could even result in operating restrictions being placed on the 24/7/365 site.
Earlier this month, it emerged that Potter’s agent Keogh Planning had written again to Selby District Council recently to detail its objections.
In the letter, it pointed out that future plans to expand its own activities at the site, as well as plans by its tenant Clipper Logistics to move to 24-hour operation, would increase both rail and LGV traffic movements to and from the location.
It also questioned the findings of a recent noise impact assessment and highlighted a number of concerns about the planned transport infrastructure links.
Report due
A report due to be submitted by Keith Dawson, director of community services at Selby, to the council’s planning committee on 31 July acknowledges that there are “clearly a number of outstanding issues to resolve”.
However, it adds that a recommendation will be brought to the committee, subject to satisfactory resolution of these, “toward the end of this year”.
The report, seen by Motortransport.co.uk, also highlights that “development of the Olympia Park site remains a key priority for both the council and the developer”.
Difficult to predict
A spokeswoman for Potter Logistics said the firm’s agent had written again to the council to provide it with “accurate data [that] will allow them to come to the correct decision”.
It was “difficult to predict an outcome”, she added, but Potter Logistics “will of course defend our position for the DC to continue operating in the way it always has done and [ensure] that future development of the DC is not impacted negatively due to the proposed neighbouring residential development”.
“We will continue to monitor the planning application and assist the various stakeholders to reach the right and fair decision for Potter Logistics and the Selby community,” added the spokeswoman.
