The first glimpse of the major East Midlands Freeport scheme emerges as plans are unveiled

A first look at East Midlands Freeport has emerged in new proposals. The massive scheme would span more than 100 acres of rural Leicestershire and play a role in creating 28,000 new jobs for the region.

The general application, which seeks approval in principle for the plan, has been submitted by East Midlands airport owners Manchester Airports Group (MAG) and would see land south of the airport transformed into a major new distribution and logistics hub. The vast proposal sees eight units erected on the 102-acre site between Castle Donington and Hyam’s Lane in Diseworth.

MAG owns most of the land opposite East Midlands Airport (EMA) and says the units could be built within two years. It will become the first of three major sites in the East Midlands to become part of the UK’s only major inland Freeport, with others slated for East Midlands Intermodal Park (EMIP) in South Derbyshire and the Ratcliffe-on-Power Station redevelopment site Soar in Nottingham.

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Concerns about ownership of the land were raised earlier this year after it emerged that EMA could lose its rights to SEGRO, which runs the logistics park at nearby East Midlands Gateway. This was followed by news that the land had been classified as a “Development of National Significance” by the Government, with discussions ongoing between all parties to reach a resolution.

For now, MAG says it “fundamentally” owns the majority of the site and can deliver the scheme, with access to the units only possible from the A453 – with land next to it among those it owns. It is clear that the land south of Hyam’s Lane is not included in this plan as it is owned by a third party.

If approved by North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) officials, the eight units would be spread across the territory, with 80% of the site made over for storage and distribution. The rest would be used by general industry, with all units set to be designed for a “high quality” look that is both “attractive” and “unified”, according to MAG.

Long-standing concerns about the scale of the plan have been raised by residents. Previously, Long Whatton and Diseworth Parish Council said the scheme would increase “significant” pressure on nearby villages and claimed Diseworth was already “closed” by the M1 and A42.

However, CRBE, on behalf of MAG, says East Midlands Freeport is a “once-in-a-generation” investment for the region, which will ultimately create 28,000 jobs across the three sites. They believe it would attract even more investment to the region.

Final designs for deposits will appear in the reserved matter phase of the application. The master plan will go before the NWLDC at a later date.

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