More than 500 jobs will be created if a major project on the edge of a Nottinghamshire town is approved. A vast distribution centre worth £30 million will be built to the south of the A17, between Newark and the villages of Coddington and Winthorpe, if Newark and Sherwood District Council's planning committee gives planning permission on March 16.
Planning documents said electrical retailer Curry’s has remained committed to the site and sees it as an "opportunity to consolidate and grow their business", with legal negotiations at an advanced stage. The site, which sits next to the large commercial storage and distribution buildings at Newlink Business Park and is currently greenfield, spans 16.6 hectares and is expected to generate £1.1 million in business rates.
Despite council officers advising committee members to approve the plan, it has been criticised during the consultation period by local parish councils. Coddington Parish Council said it was concerned about the impact on residents during construction, as well as the master plan's closeness to housing and woodland.
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Winthorpe with Langford Parish Council added: "The proposed site is in open countryside and there is no identified need for which this development would benefit the local community. The additional roundabout will add to an already congested single carriageway road.
"The Parish Council have been made aware that this application is only the first step, with a further six buildings envisaged – this is an unnecessary and excessive development which should be refused. We add our objection to the significant number of objections to the original application."
But Veronica Dennant, senior lead for business and skills at Newark and Sherwood District Council, argued the plan was a "positive move" due to the creation of construction jobs and a further 529 roles once the distribution centre opened. In a consultation comment, it was also noted "Newark and Sherwood have a growing reputation as a centre for logistics, therefore the £30millionwill help the district to develop as a bigger player".
A service yard would be located to the west of the building with 38 dock level doors and 89 lorry trailer parking spaces, while a 307 space car park would be created on the other side. A new vehicle access off a new three-arm roundabout junction on the A17 and an extension to the public footpath/cycleway network from the A17/long Hollow roundabout is included in the scheme.
Outline planning permission was refused in 2021, but was later granted in 2022 after applicant Tritax and Simons Developments appealed to the Planning Inspectorate. A Newark and Sherwood District Council planning officer, advising councillors to approve the plans, said: "The site benefits from an extant outline consent allowed at planning appeal for the proposed development. The reserved matters submission is therefore considered acceptable with regards to impact on visual amenity and is compliant with the parameters defined at outline stage.
"The development would not result in harm to the setting of heritage assets (including the character or appearance of the nearest Conservation Area or any listed buildings). The application is not considered to result in any adverse impact upon highway safety, public rights of way, trees and ecology, flood risk or drainage, archaeology or residential amenity subject to conditions."
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