Fears of warehouse 'tsunami' as another is approved

## Warehouse "Tsunami" Fears Mount as New Facility Approved

**A new warehouse for Saica Pack is slated for construction on a field bordering the existing Haldens Parkway Industrial estate.**

Plans to expand a warehouse facility in a rural area have been given the green light, despite anxieties about "an unstoppable tsunami of warehouse developments."

Reform-led North Northamptonshire Council granted Saica Pack permission to erect a substantial storage building adjacent to its current warehouse in Thrapston. The company, a producer of corrugated packaging, stated that this expansion would eliminate the need to transport finished goods to its other sites in Corby and Sywell.

However, local advocacy group Staunch voiced opposition to the development, which is situated near two considerably larger proposed logistics parks. "The whole site is bigger than Thrapston itself," a Staunch spokesperson remarked, referring to the three proposed developments. "It is meant to be done in growth towns like Rushden and Corby."

Staunch indicates that the blue square on their map represents the location of the new Saica Pack warehouse, flanked by two larger planned developments.

The proposed building will offer 14,000 sq m of storage space and connect to the existing warehouse via an underground tunnel. Allan Foakes, regional director at Saica Pack, stated that consolidating the warehouse operations "under one roof" would enhance efficiency and significantly decrease vehicle movements. He informed the planning committee that the Spanish company commenced operations in Thrapston in 1996 and expressed its "absolute desire" to remain and expand in the area. He added, "Over the past 22 years, I've had the privilege of working alongside multiple generations of local families. The proposal might well ensure you can continue to provide skilled labour employment for the community for many years to come."

The application garnered 40 objections from members of the public. Thrapston independent councillor Joseph Garner also suggested that, in conjunction with neighboring sites, it formed part of "an unstoppable tsunami of warehouse developments."

Campaign group Staunch asserts that the combined developments would negatively impact wildlife, including lapwings and golden plovers. The site is located near Titchmarsh Nature Reserve, a wetland of international significance. Staunch contended that the Habitat Regulation Assessment submitted by the council was inaccurate and urged councillors to defer the application. "Rushing to meet an administrative deadline does not exempt you from environmental law," the group stated. "It guarantees an immediate and robust challenge from Staunch via another judicial review in the High Court."