Campaigners lose court fight over warehouse scheme

Campaigners opposed to a 148-acre (60-hectare) warehouse park have lost their judicial review over the decision to approve the project.

North Northamptonshire Council approved the park, to be built on greenfield land north of Halden's Parkway Industrial Estate in Thrapston, in July last year.

Campaign group Staunch said it was "extremely disappointed by the outcome of the case which does nothing to stem the tide of warehouse development in the Upper Nene Valley, and their impact on the environment and our communities".

North Northamptonshire Council said it accepted the court's findings, adding that it recognised "the strength of feeling this issue has generated locally".

The High Court delivered its judgment on the legal challenge against the warehouse park, called Thrapston Business Park, on 30 July.

Staunch brought the case forward on five specific grounds, mainly based around claims that the council failed to properly to assess the suitability of a proposed replacement habitat at Lilford Hall Estate to make up for the loss of linked land on the special protection area.

Other grounds related to the Reform UK-controlled council failing to assess the effects of the development in combination with other local schemes.

However, presiding judge Sir Peter Lane said the judicial review failed on all grounds the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported.

There were more than 800 objections before the park was approved, with one claiming it would "engulf" the village of Titchmarsh.

Campaigners also raised concerns about the impact on wildlife, including protected bird species, and the biodiversity of the area.

Despite the judgment, Staunch said there were "strong grounds for appeal" on two grounds and has already submitted an application to the court for leave to appeal.

North Northamptonshire Council said it will "respond accordingly" if campaigners exercise their right of appeal.

IM Properties, who will deliver the scheme, previously said the project would create more than 700 full-time jobs and involve investment of more than £100m.

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