Traffic and environmental concerns fail to stop go-ahead for huge warehousing centre near Thurlaston

The site, which would house up to 186,500 sq m of buildings alongside the A45/M45 junction near the village of Thurlaston, would also include land for a proposed new fire station.

Councillors at the latest [Sep 16] planning committee of Rugby Borough Council were told that nearly 30 local residents had objected to the plans along with two neighbouring parish councils - Thurlaston and Dunchurch. And Cllr Peter Eccleson (Con, Dunsmore) took up their fight at the virtual meeting.

He questioned whether the crossroads at Dunchurch, which he said already handled 17,500 vehicles each day, could cope with any additional traffic.

And he added: “As we have heard, there have been a number of concerns raised by my constituents in the wards of Dunchurch, Draycote, Princethorpe, Stretton and others.

“I have some serious concerns and am very unsettled by many of the aspects of this development particularly around traffic as mentioned, but as well around biodiversity issues.

“We have heard on many, many occasions now that biodiversity and the state of our planning is key to the future of our children and grandchildren. We cannot lose sight that this is a huge development that will create masses of commuter traffic in the area, it’s going to disturb the biodiversity balance in the area and we appear to be suggesting that we go against our own tree officer’s recommendations with the removal of not only protected trees but other mature trees in very good condition.

“Not only are we looking at the destruction of nature but we are also looking at moving ancient ditches.”

Cllr Eccleson proposed that the scheme be refused but failed to find support among other councillors although a vote was taken - and lost - regarding deferring the application.

With regard to the increased traffic through Dunchurch, Jo Archer, from Warwickshire County Council’s highways department, explained that the developer had drawn up a HGV management strategy to control the number of lorries using that route.

She added: “We have said that we will need some interim bus services designed to coordinate with the shift patterns so that people can get to work by public transport at the times they need to get there and leave as well as providing improved pedestrian and cycle facilities to try and encourage people to shift to more sustainable modes of transport.”

Cllr David Cranham (Con, Hillmorton) backed a proposal to approve the plans.

He added: “This is a significant economic investment and when we are through this dreadful situation that we find ourselves in now, we will need every investment we can get and every job we can get.

“I understand members’ concerns but we are looking at thousands of jobs and yet we are worried about three trees.”