Judicial review granted for warehouses scheme

Campaigners opposed to a 148-acre (60-hectare) warehouse park have been granted a judicial review of the decision to approve the project.

North Northamptonshire Council approved the park, to be built on greenfield land north of Halden's Parkway Industrial Estate in Thrapston, in July.

Campaign group Staunch believe the warehouse park will "overpower and dominate" the nearby village of Titchmarsh.

The council has been contacted for comment.

Staunch said the High Court had granted permission to continue with a judicial review, with arguments to be heard across a two-day hearing at a future date.

There were more than 800 objections before the park was approved, with one claiming it would "engulf" the village of Titchmarsh.

Campaigners have also raised concerns about the impact on wildlife, including protected bird species, and the biodiversity of the area.

IM Properties said it was engaging in the judicial review process.

A spokesman for the company said the decision to grant approval in July "marked an important step in meeting the significant business demand for high-quality employment space in Northamptonshire and along the A14 corridor, which can help to drive economic growth".

He said it would "create jobs across logistics, light industry and manufacturing to support a more productive and resilient local economy" and that the project was also committed to "sustainability and enhancing the local environment".

In July, Thrapston Town Council called the decision "a blow to the local community, to the environment and to the integrity of the Upper Nene Valley landscape".

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.