PLANS to build a giant warehouse - which will be open 24 hours a day - just a stone’s throw from a delivery giant’s ‘mega hub’ in Hoyland have been approved by the council’s planning board.
The employment unit will be built on plot three of the Ashroyd Business Park in Platts Common after planning permission was granted earlier this week.
Outline permission had been granted on October 3, 2018, and the new development is within the conditions imposed according to planning documents.
The new unit, which is due to be 9,180 square metres in size, will be open 24 hours a day in a bid to secure a warehouse that can react to changes in market demand in an instant.
A design statement said that the development would bring a significant inward investment in terms of construction, as well as employment opportunities for local residents during construction and operation.
“The proposal will respond well to the surrounding context and will protect the amenity of the existing residential properties nearby,” the document added.
“The development will provide a positive contribution and contemporary addition to the local area and provide new job opportunities.
“The proposed development does not currently have specific end user and seeks a flexible permission for employment uses.
“The proposal seeks flexibility regarding the employment use in order to secure a market facing permission that can react to changes in market demand and will require 24-hour operational use.”
A previous application stated that the new warehouse will bring a total of 244 full-time jobs to the area.
In addition to the Evri - formerly known as Hermes - mega hub dubbed ‘Colossus’ - it means more than 1,600 full-time roles will be brought to Hoyland in the coming years.
Jim Andrews, a former Rockingham councillor and the previous deputy leader, lost his seat at last month’s local elections and Hermes’ arrival off Tankersley Lane was widely touted as a key reason.
Coun David White, of the Rockingham ward, replaced Mr Andrews - and at his first planning board meeting on Tuesday he described the approval as ‘heartbreaking’.
He was also against another approved development in the area of 19 houses on an area to the north of Upper Hoyland Road which was put forward for approval despite five letters of objection from local residents.
No representations were made by local residents for the new warehouse unit.
He said: “I didn’t support the new warehouse - I voted against.
“The road is busy, has a working farm with dairy herds crossing daily.
“The road is also poor quality, as well as being a ‘heart-in-the-mouth’ experience to exit at the top crossroads.
“Local knowledge is a huge asset moving forward, I’m certain.
“This application had already been recommended for approval, and I came to the party late.”
