Distribution hub at Wiggs Farm, Nailstone, Coalville

What was proposed

The application sought a B8 distribution hub with offices, quality control and maintenance buildings, a gatehouse, infrastructure and landscaping.

“Proposal: The erection of a B8 distribution hub with ancillary offices, quality control office and canopy, maintenance units, gatehouse, associated infrastructure, and landscaping…”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The 14.64-hectare site was mainly an arable field outside settlement boundaries, with hedgerows, woodland, an access track and nearby villages.

“Description of the site and surrounding area 3.1. The Site measures 14.64ha with a predominate character of a large arable field with native hedgerows and narrow field margins. An existing access track runs along the southern side of the field, and a small copse of trees cuts into the northern side of the field. The extent of the red line includes a proposed access from Station Road to the east through an area of woodland. 3.2.”

“The Site is not situated within, or adjoining, national or local statutory landscape designations, and is not situated within a locally designated special landscape area of high landscape value. The Site is located within Flood Zone 1 and therefore has a ‘low probability’ of fluvial/tidal flooding. The majority of the Site has a very low risk of surface water flooding with an annual probability of flooding of less than 1 in 1000 years.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Most consultees raised no objections, while North West Leicestershire District Council and three parish councils objected on planning, highway, amenity and environmental grounds.

“North West Leicestershire District Council have objected on the following grounds: • The District Council objects to application 25/00523/FUL on the basis that the application is premature when accounting for the allocation of land to the north of Wood Road as part of the emerging North West Leicestershire (NWL) Local Plan, as well as the potential allocation of the application site as part of the emerging Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC) Local Plan, and the…”

“Bagworth & Thornton Parish Council have objected on the following grounds: • Planning policy conflicts • Coal mining works/subsidence • Increased and unacceptable severe traffic impact from this and other local developments • Unsuitable site access • Not sustainable development • Light and noise pollution • Negative impact on the amenity of nearby properties • Adverse impact on wildlife, including important species and habitats • Deficiencies in supporting evidence…”

Officer report

What residents said

Residents objected to traffic, flooding, pollution, noise, landscape and ecological effects, the scale and location, and the loss of trees and privacy.

“As of 18 August 2025, 142 objections had been received from 119 separate addresses regarding the following: • Cumulative impact with Aldi development • Traffic information not properly reviewed • Increased traffic through Bagworth • Unsuitable location for such a large enterprise • Scale of the development • Increase flood risk from the development • Traffic issues • Noise pollution • Air pollution • Light pollution • Highway impact • Noise from HGVs will impact mental…”

“Heritage impact • Failure to consider alternative sites • Conflict with National and Local Policy • Precedent setting for future development…”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector, the applicant, ward councillors and a parish council representative spoke during consideration of the application.

The committee’s changes

The committee supported permission but required additional signage at Station Road, a residents’ liaison committee and resolution of specified ecology matters.

“It was moved by Councillor Bools and seconded by Councillor Flemming that permission be granted with a note to applicant requesting that a liaison committee be set up and an amended condition to require signage at the bottom of Station Road to prevent heavy vehicles accessing the site via Bagworth village. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED and it was…”

Minutes

The final decision

Permission was granted with the financial obligations, amended conditions, liaison committee request and ecology requirement, with officers authorised to settle final details.

“(ii) The Assistant Director Planning and Regeneration be granted authority to determine the final detail of planning conditions and obligations.”

Minutes