Final arguments made in DHL warehouse appeal

A hearing to decide whether a logistics giant should be allowed to build a large warehouse on the edge of a rural town has heard closing submissions.

DHL was refused permission by Conservative-controlled West Northamptonshire Council to build a hub on the outskirts of Towcester.

The company appealed against that decision, and a planning inspector opened a public inquiry in February.

Barristers representing DHL, West Northamptonshire Council and Save Towcester Now presented their closing arguments in an online meeting. A final decision will be made at a later date.

The centrepiece of the proposed site is a warehouse with offices and a gatehouse, covering about 265,000 sq ft (about 24,500 sq m). The height of the building would be 60ft (18.5m).

Staff would get to the site via a new roundabout on the A5, with parking for 273 vehicles.

DHL also wants outline planning permission for up to 14 more buildings.

The company said the first phase, with the warehouse, would lead to about 1,300 full-time jobs.

The public inquiry has been chaired by planning inspector Malcolm Rivett.

During the inquiry, Mr Rivett made two site visits.

Representing the campaign group Save Towcester Now, Daniel Stedman Jones argued that "the appeal scheme conflicts fundamentally with the development plan as a whole [and] the supposed benefits of the scheme in no way outweigh those conflicts".

Saira Kabir Sheikh KC, representing West Northamptonshire Council, said the authority "refused this application because it had grave concerns about the impact this large complex of warehouses and logistics facilities would have on the small settlement of Towcester".

Last September, the council decided that the proposal contravened the county's local plan "by virtue of its size, siting, scale and design", and it created too much extra traffic.

Councillors rejected the project, even though their officers had recommended approval.

Paul Tucker KC, representing the DHL, said "the government could not be clearer about the desperate need to secure inward investment into the UK economy".

He added: "This proposal for a deliverable, policy-compliant, much needed employment scheme on an allocated site in an up-to-date plan has been opposed tooth and nail by the council and the Rule 6 party [Save Towcester Now]."

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