DX Freight to appeal refusal of £36m plan
A freight firm is to appeal against a controversial decision to veto its plan for a £36 million distribution centre in Essington.
The DX Group statement comes two months after a South Staffordshire Council planning meeting, lobbied by hundreds of protesters, ruled the 44-acre green belt plot in Hobnock Road was not suitable for the development.
The parcels and logistics operator confirmed the move in a trading update, saying: "In terms of progress with its proposed new central hub in the West Midlands, the board is proceeding with an appeal of the decision made by the local planning authority announced on 18 May, as well as considering suitable alternative sites."
The firm declined to say whether the decision will effect DX's two bases in Willenhall, or whether the new site might be outside the area.
Villagers launched an 18-month campaign against the plan for a transport super-hub.
The application had been recommended for approval with planning officers citing 'very special circumstances', including the creation of hundreds of jobs, as grounds to develop green belt land.
Around 200 placard-wielding protesters lobbied the meeting, cramming into the public gallery and lining the route to the council chamber.
Today Essington councillor David Clifft said he was not unduly worried about news of the appeal.
He cited the failure of Cannock-based KGL Holdings' appeal to the High Court three years ago against South Staffordshire Council's veto of the firm's bid to build 141 homes in Great Wyrley on land that was not included in the Local Plan.
Councillor Clifft said: "I'm not too concerned. I think the policy we've got holds up strongly. The Local plan only allows for 11 acres of that land to be developed and this application covers 44 acres.
"The planning policy was tested in the High Court when the developer in the Great Wyrley case lost his legal challenge. I'm optimistic that the policy is robust enough to protect the whole of this land in Essington from being developed."
DX argued that the hub would have secured the jobs of 600 current employees and created 400 new ones, as well as at least 200 construction jobs. The council had a mind to accept it for the level of investment the plan represented and the effect it would have on the local economy. It was predicted that an additional 290 jobs would be created locally in spin-off trades.
Residents are keen to explore the possibility that the site is used as a science park and/or a hospice. Councillor Clifft said both were acceptable green belt developments.
