Eddie Stobart Logistics' plans to build a £75m national distribution centre on green belt land at Appleton Thorn has won the backing of Warrington Borough Council but local councils opposed to the scheme are calling on the Secretary of State to veto the decision.
The haulier's application for the DC, which includes 600,000sq ft of warehousing and a 30,000sq ft office, won the backing of the borough council last month.
However a group of six local parish councils in the area have written a letter urging the secretary of state to call in the application for determination rather than leave it to Warrington Borough Council.
Warrington South conservative councillor Andy Carter said: “I am very disappointed that councillors decided to approve development of a large distribution centre in the green belt tonight before the local plan has been finalised.
“I will be writing to Robert Jenrick MP who has taken up the role of Secretary of State to ask him to call the decision in for review.”
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Eddie Stobart is proposing to build the centre on land adjacent to its headquarters.
A previous planning application for the scheme was turned down by Warrington Borough Council – against planning officer advice – in November of last year.
This was after councillors raised concerns about the “unrelenting” flow of traffic the DC would create in the area and the “overwhelming” size of the development.
Alex Laffey, chief executive of Eddie Stobart Logistics, said: “The national distribution centre will deliver real investment and create 480 jobs and training opportunities for Warrington. Our plans will also see more than £6m invested into the local road network for the benefit of all road users.
“Over the next 18 months we will work closely with Warrington & Co to make sure that Warrington residents and businesses are at the front of the queue for the opportunities provided at the national distribution centre.
“We are proud to have our national headquarters in Warrington and are committed to support the ambitions Warrington Borough Council has for economic growth and job creation.”
