Plans for warehouse dubbed a 'monstrosity' approved

Plans for a large storage warehouse near a bridge dubbed Britain's most bashed have been approved.

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council's planning committee met last week to discuss the 95,000 sq ft (8,826 sq m) warehouse, which would sit on land next to Hammonds Way and Nutts Lane in Hinckley.

Under the plans, the industrial unit would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and would result in the loss of a 2.4-acre green space in the town.

One councillor described the proposed development as "a monstrosity", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Councillors previously asked the applicant, Hinckley Investment LLP, to "look again" at the scheme at a planning meeting in July because the building's scale was affecting nearby residents.

People living nearby also previously told the LDRS the warehouse would be "depressing" to look at if approved.

Documents show that Hinckley Investment LLP reduced the building's height by 0.5m (1.64ft) and redesigned the warehouse roof, prompting officers to recommend that the plan be approved.

The scheme returned to the borough council's planning committee on 20 October.

Ann Pendlebury, ward councillor for the area, said the changes were "limited".

She added: "It is unlikely to change the relationship between the building and the nearby residential properties.

"This will infringe substantially on the neighbourhood's privacy and light. A number of residents work from home, so it will impact them."

Planning committee member Scott Gibbens said he was not happy with the application, before moving to refuse it.

He added: "I don't think the people living opposite should be subjected to this monstrosity.

"Some of the plans show trees... but that's 15 years down the line. So those trees are not going to have any softening impact for 15 years.

"They'll have to look at a horrible grey wall in front of them.

"I also saw there are plans where there are lights at the side of the building. Not only will they get a great big building, but they'll have light at night they never had before."

Ed Stacey, planning manager at the council, warned councillors that if it was refused, new planning guidance would mean the authority would have to prove the negative impact of the scheme was "so strong" that it outweighed the positive impact of the new building if an appeal was lodged.

Despite some councillors' concerns, the committee voted down a motion to refuse the application.

A motion to approve the application was then put forward and approved.

Listen to BBC Radio Leicester on Sounds and follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.