Plans to build a major distribution centre on open countryside near Newark are set to be decided by councillors.
Developers say the new facility will put Newark on “the logistics map” and create around 560 jobs.
Developers want to transform land off the A17 in Coddington, which will include a 400,000 square foot distribution and logistics facility, vehicle and pedestrian access including a new roundabout, car parking and landscaping.
The site sits adjacent to the large commercial storage and distribution buildings currently occupied by the Knowhow business group (including Dixons Carphone) and known as Newlink Business Park.
The proposal seeks outline planning permission.
More than 100 people have signed a petition calling on the development to be turned down by Newark and Sherwood District Council.
Coddington Parish Council has also objected to the plans.
It states the development in the countryside will lead to “a loss of trees and wildlife” and create “a significant increase in traffic adding to the existing congestion at the A17/A46/A1 roundabouts and more traffic diverting through Coddington”.
It states: “Traffic through Coddington Village has doubled in recent years as vehicles avoid congestion at the A17/A46/A1 roundabout and Newark Bypass.
“The application is for 24-hour operation, also causing an increase in noise to Coddington residents including during the night.”
Newark Town Council also believes the development will have “a visual impact” on the area, including on Yew Tree Forest, and a loss of open space between Newark and Coddington.
A petition containing 104 signatures has also been sent to the council.
The Highways Authority and the Environment Agency have no objections to the scheme.
The applicant, Tritax Acquisition 39 Limited, says there is “a significant shortage of suitable development land for industrial and distribution premises, particularly serving the Big Box sector and there has been a lack of development in Newark due to the absence of suitable sites as a consequence.”
The applicants also state that 2020 was a record year for the sector, particularly in the demand for online grocery shopping.
If permission is secured, council planning papers state Dixons Carphone would be interested in discussing further the potential of taking up space on the development site.
Planning papers also state the adjacent Currys/PC World complex is already the largest employer in Newark and this application would create an opportunity for them to expand further or to enable the co-location of a supply chain partner.
However, the council says there is no certainty with regards to which company would become the end user.
The council says on balance the benefits are significant and outweigh the harm identified, such as the loss of open countryside.
Council officers are recommending that planning permission is granted.
Councillors will decide the application at a Newark and Sherwood District Council planning meeting on November 2.
