'Ugly blot on landscape' warehouse plans for Northants farmland as councillors unite against '24/7 nightmare'

Councillors who represent Rothwell on North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) have once again united against plans for a massive warehouse development set to be approved on farmland near the town.

Applicant Harworth Estates Investments Ltd claims the switch from farmland to an industrial estate will create 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs and bring in £238m to the local economy per year.

The site, at Nunnery Farm, would see up to eight units on a 1.8 million sq ft on the area of green fields immediately off Junction 3 of the A14 and separated from Rothwell by the A6.

If given the go-ahead countryside would be flattened with the creation of ‘substantial areas of levelled ground for the new buildings, together with associated landscaping and attenuation areas’. A number of Public Rights of Way would also require their routes to be diverted.

Cllr Jim Hakewill (Ind) said: “Local opposition to this warehousing proposal has been overwhelming from the time the plans first appeared in 2021. The landscape in this area is well worth protecting for present and future generations who enjoy its rural peace and calm whether driving, walking or riding along the network of public rights of way that cross it.

“It is an extremely valuable local asset for people to enjoy by getting out into the countryside to relieve the stress and pressures of our everyday lives.

“If this is approved, it will damage everyone’s health and wellbeing and affect every journey they make in and around Rothwell, Desborough and our surrounding villages. Quite simply it will be a 24/7 nightmare of traffic chaos and a massive, ugly blot on our lovely landscape.

“There are more reasons for refusing the application than for approving it and I hope the planning committee will support local people and our local planning policies. I am not convinced that the demand for warehousing is so great that we should randomly build them just anywhere.

“I will be speaking at the planning committee to ask the committee to refuse this awful development, give their full support to local people and retain the natural environment. “

The meeting of the NNC planning committee is due to take place at 6pm on Wednesday, November 11.

Papers published recommend the planning committee resolves to delegate powers to the Executive Director of Place to permit the proposed development subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

The local councillors hope that the planning committee members can find a way to challenge the recommendation with ‘sound material reasons, and refuse it’.

Cllr Brian Benneyworth (Reform) said: “I am proud to stand with both residents and fellow councillors in opposing the Nunnery Farm development and protecting the countryside that makes Rothwell, Mawsley and surrounding villages such special places to live.

“I will speak out against this proposal at the upcoming planning committee meeting and will continue to challenge plans that would fundamentally change the character of our area. I remain committed to representing local people, defending our rural environment, and ensuring that future development is both sustainable and appropriate for our communities.”

Residents have already been active in opposing the plans, voicing ‘massive concerns’ over the traffic at Junction 3 and the number of HGV movements that would be generated.

If approved, the development would be a third the size of Rothwell.

Fellow Reform councillor Cllr Chris Kellett added: “Let me make it clear - I am not against development. Development is necessary for growth and prosperity and sustaining towns and villages. What I am against is the wrong development in the wrong place. I am against development on farmland.

“Farmland should be food land and valued as important infrastucture, just as much as power stations and reservoirs.

“I am against the development at Nunnery Farm for I think its the wrong development in the wrong place but I fear when this application goes in front of committee it could be passed or even if the committee turns it down.

“Under national planning policy framework , the inspectorate will look at it and say, it meets enough of national planning policy and over turn the committee. In my opinion this takes away local democracy.

“Most People realise a need for development , and at a local level they are best to determine what’s best and what they want. “Unfortunately councils and committees suffer the brunt of national planning policy.

“I urge everyone to ask their MPs to take this to government, to look again at a bad government policy before they face a development they don’t want. I think it’s time to challenge the cause not the symptom.”

NNC’s planning committee is due to meet on Wednesday, November 11, at 6pm in the council chamber of the Corby Cube in George Street, Corby.

The meeting will be livestreamed - watch by clicking the link here.

Application NK/2024/0717 Nunnery Farm, Harrington Road, Rothwell, NN14 6AW – (For the construction of up to 170,184 m2 of class B8, B2 and E(g)(iii) units, including site access and infrastructure. All matters reserved except details of vehicular access from Harrington Road, and for the enabling earthworks, including bunds and associated landscaping).