Residents will get another chance to have their say on plans for a huge rail cargo hub near Hinckley.

A second round of informal consultations has been announced by developer DB Symmetry for the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (NRFI) proposals , to focus on options for highways improvements near the site.

Planners want to create a 440 acre industrial park between the Hinckley to Leicester railway line and the M69 motorway, with access via a new slip road to be built on Junction 2 of the motorway.

It is thought the venture could create some 8,400 jobs.

A formal consultation was set to take place this spring but this has now been put back to later in the year.

There are plans for a rail hub, industrial estate and new junction for M69 near Hinckley. Picture: Google Street View

Developer comments

As part of the initial consultation , the developer put the plans on display at a series of events from October to November 2018.

It said: “DB symmetry is currently in the process of reviewing all of the feedback received, and considering how to provide the necessary information to address the concerns raised to date.

“In response to the feedback received to the first informal consultation stage, a further round of informal consultation focusing on options for off-site highways improvements will be held between May to July 2019.

Plans for a rail hub, industrial estate and new junction for M69 near Burbage and Hinckley

“A series of local events will be held in locations that are accessible to the ‘host’ communities within Blaby district and Hinckley and Bosworth borough.

“Once we have confirmed locations and precise timings for these, we will be notifying stakeholders, residents and the local press.”

Council urges action

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council urged residents to attend the events.

A spokesperson said: “Residents should attend the consultation events that DB Symmetry hold, and make representations directly to them so that these comments can be taken in to account during preparation of the application.

“All the information about these events, and the ability to make comments can be found at www.hinckleynrfi.co.uk.

“Residents can of course also raise their concerns with their ward borough councillors to inform them.”

Council leader comments

Hinckley council has created a cross-party working group to work on its response to the plans, chaired by councillor Mark Nickerson.

Council leader Mike Hall said: “This group will provide a steer for officers in evaluating the concerns of local residents and to advise our response, should the planning application reach a point where it is considered valid by the planning inspector.

“Whilst we already have a great many views from members of the public, it is important that people continue to provide details of their concerns to HBBC as well as providing any formal response to the developer’s public consultation.

Councillor Mike Hall, leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

“We already have a list of concerns, including some very heartfelt and very personal ones about health impact, environment, transport and potential damage to Burbage Common, but we want to hear particularly how the proposals will affect individuals, and that will give us more to input to our statement of impact.

“We are in the process of preparing a page on the council website to help residents and other interested parties access useful information/links, and we will also provide updates from the work the Council is doing.”

More information

DB Symmetry said that statutory consultation will follow the second round later in 2019, including “a fully reasoned response to the informal public consultation exercises”.

Residents can find out about how the consultations will work by reading the Statement of Community Consultation on the Hinckley NRFI website, a document the developer put together in collaboration with authorities in the area.

The borough council was sent drafts of the statement and officers made comments for consideration by DB Symmetry.

You can send in your views to the council at mike.hall@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk.