£125m Next warehouse recommended for approval

Plans for a new £125m warehouse in West Yorkshire for retail giant Next look set to get the go-ahead later today (17 September 2020).Next, supported by Q+A Planning and pHp Architects, submitted an application to Wakefield Council at the end of last year for a site south of Field Lane in South Elmsall.Full planning permission is sought for a 852,000 sq ft warehouse and distribution centre for the retailer.The proposed development would comprise 780,000 sq ft of warehouse space, ancillary office and welfare accommodation, and a bridge and gatehouse to link the new facility with Next’s existing operations north of Field Lane.A planning statement submitted as part of the application said the proposed development represents a capital investment £125m. It has been estimated to provide about 1,100 new jobs (including construction jobs) for Wakefield, of which more than half will be net additional roles.It could also generate an estimated gross value added (GVA) to the economy of more than £46m per annum.The facility will provide Next with additional warehousing and distribution space to help it to cope with an expected increase in online sales.The plans also include the demolition of Quarry Farm – a collection of buildings and associated land used for residential and commercial purposes – and the relocation of the existing travelling showpeoples’ site. This land would be redeveloped as a car park for the warehouse.The application will be considered by the council’s Planning and Highways Committee on 17 September and is recommended for approval, subject to conditions, in an officer’s report prepared for the meeting.The report said that the “benefits of the development outweigh the harm to the green belt and all other harm caused”.The recommendation has been made despite 165 letter of objection received by the council.