420 new jobs if major logistics park expansion plan is approved, developer says

Hundreds of jobs could be created if the expansion of a major logistics park in Leicestershire is approved. The developer insists the site is in an “excellent location” but residents have raised concerns about the plan.

IM Properties wants to create a 600,000 sq m building at Mercia Park in Appleby Magna, south of Ashby. The building will be located on land between the A444 and junction 11 of the M42, opposite an existing 3.5m sq ft logistics park which is home to companies such as Jaguar Land Rover and global transport and logistics firm DSV. It would become DSV’s second building in Mercia Park.

Plans to define the proposed new building emerged in April. Residents have previously said the logistics park was “never welcome” and a potential expansion could leave the area permanently “blocked”.

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IM Properties said it believed the new site could enhance DSV’s “continued growth”. The company employs almost 400 people at its existing “state-of-the-art” Mercia Park building, while the logistics park as a whole has 2,300 workers at DSV, Jaguar Land Rover and Unipart sites.

The developer said the current DSV building was of “high quality” and had “accessible green infrastructure” in the form of woodlands and wildflower meadows to limit its environmental impact. This would be reflected in the second site, which could create 420 new jobs for the area, it added.

However, concerns run deep in the area about the proposal. Oakthorpe and Donisthorpe Parish Council previously said the extension would add to the existing “massive traffic problems” on the M42. Fears have also been raised over the Appleby Magna Interchange roundabout, which serves Mercia Park. Some residents questioned the need for the expansion. IM Properties said it would work with the community to allay fears.

Matt Fox, planning director at IM Properties, said: “Our expansion proposals will build on the success of Mercia Park, supported by high standards of building design, extensive amenity including biodiversity enhancement, as well as accessible green space and reduction of visual impact. .

“Working with DSV, we will continue to promote sustainable travel and carefully manage traffic from the development of the local area, as well as ensure the site provides benefits to local communities as well as the people who work at Mercia Park.”

Consultations on the proposal are taking place at two events next week. IM Properties and DSV said community feedback will help shape the plan for the future.

Events take place at:

• Measham Leisure Centre, Measham (Wednesday 26th June – 4.00pm – 8.00pm)

• Sir John Moore Primary School, Appleby Magna (Saturday 29 June – 10am – 2pm)

Surinder Dubro, executive vice president, solutions, UK, Ireland and Nordics at Mercia Park, said he believed the expansion was needed. He said: “Mercia Park is an excellent location which has enabled us to develop a highly skilled workforce and provide excellent customer service, all in a sustainable and low carbon environment. Expanding our operations with a new building is an important opportunity for our expansion in the UK, creating a number of new roles for local people.”

A formal planning application will be submitted to North West Leicestershire District Council later this year. The Council will then decide at a later date.

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