Plan for massive distribution warehouse in Colthrop is approved
Permission to build a vast, automated distribution warehouse has been granted in Colthrop.
It could mean more than 980 extra vehicles – including HGVs – using the A4, with potentially 24/7 operations.
Locals claim it will lead to them living in the virtual perpetual motion of traffic noise, light and pollution.
West Berkshire Council’s eastern area planning committee said outline planning permission would be permitted, despite considerable local opposition.
Midgham parish councillor Anthony Fenn said: “It is a development in the countryside outside the settlement boundary and a disturbing piece of ribbon development.
“This is industrial expansion into rural Midgham. We are alarmed at the destruction of prime agricultural land, the loss of Midgham’s identifiable village boundary and the disturbing prospect of setting a precedent for further continuous ribbon development.”
Local resident and farmer Tracey Underwood spoke to the meeting saying there were concerns that arable farming would no longer be possible because of additional flooding risks caused by the development reducing land drainage.
“We already have light pollution from the Colthrop business park,” she said. “When we built an extension on our cottage last year we weren’t even allowed to put a light on it.
“There could be traffic noise 24 hours a day with an extra 940 vehicles. it would be sacrilege for both the countryside and for Midgham.”
Councillor Jeremy Cottam (Lib Dem, Thatcham North East) said the council’s report on the amount of traffic and the number of jobs to justify the recommendation to approve the scheme was ‘simplistic’.
“We blindly jump to the tune of simplistic views of the economy,” he told the meeting. “But we are trying to bring in the reality of what this means for our local community.
“Let’s wake up and smell the coffee – this is not about modelling and maths. This is about what is going to happen to our community. None of the jobs will be created locally.”
The plans for 19,305 sq m of commercial industrial storage and distribution space were also questioned for the height of the proposed construction.
The buildings will be at 15m height to allow for automated distribution systems, which locals claim makes the construction highly visible to 15 homes on Midgham Marsh.
Council officers said that while the land is a greenfield site which will have traffic impact, in terms of the overall planning balance, and because it is not near the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and near an employment area, they considered it should be recommended.
James Walker, agent for the developer Ptarmigan, told the meeting the development would bring about significant benefits and will significantly support the local economy.
"There is a current pressing demand for such development," he said. "Employment evidence suggests there is a need for an extra 62,000 sq ft of industrial floor space. Supply in Thatcham is severley constrained.
"Development will provide flexible employment space, ensuring Thatcham will remain a key part of the Thames Valley economic region."
He claimed the plans will deliver around 300 full-time quality jobs. Plus 150 jobs during the construction period.
Councillors approved the decision on the basis that there were not sufficient grounds to reject it.
“Where it is is the crossroads of England and an obvious place for warehouse logistics,” said Alan Law (Con, Basildon). “I'm looking at this and saying, if we don’t put it here, then where?"
Tony Linden (Con, Tilehurst Birch Copse) said: "I think the officers have made their case and I think we’d lose on appeal and we need to sort out distribution.
"It is a suitable site. But I know its going to cause problems in Thatcham and places like Woolhampton, but I don’t think we have a solid case to stop this application."
