Tritax Big Box Developments has made a further submission to assist the secretary of state in making a decision on a development consent order (DCO) application for Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI) in Leicestershire.
Tritax’s submission comes a week after the government outlined a series of major infrastructure initiatives aimed at revitalising UK plc.
When complete, the strategic rail freight interchange project is projected to generate between £329m and £406m per year in GVA to the UK economy.
Maritime Group has signed an exclusive agreement with Tritax Big Box Developments to develop, lease and operate the 40-acre HNRFI site.
Andrew Dickman, managing director at Tritax Big Box Developments, said: “Few developers have the funding, capability and expertise to deliver a project of this scale and complexity. We are fully committed to the project in the knowledge of the major economic and social benefits it will bring to the country’s future economic prosperity, and its impact on growth in the wider UK economy.
“We’re pleased to provide further information to assist the secretary of state in making her decision on the development, and have made a number of significant improvements, including committing additional funding for key areas highlighted in the examining authority’s recommendation report. This project is very much in line with the government’s understanding of the value private investment into infrastructure in the UK economy and would boost the government’s growth agenda.
“We have worked diligently to design a project which will improve connectivity, create investment, alleviate road congestion and create a sustainable development which will benefit Leicestershire. HNRFI is the first development of its kind to have signed up a rail freight terminal operator, Maritime Group, before a DCO has been granted.
“It’s important to stress that, firstly, there will be no compulsory purchase of houses, and we are providing funding to improve facilities at Burbage Common. Our proposals, which are subject to detailed design, have been independently road safety audited and found to be compliant.
“We would like to thank all statutory bodies for their continued contribution to the DCO process. We look forward to co-operating with these bodies in the near future on this fundamental project of local, regional and national importance. We are hopeful that the secretary of state will recognise the benefits of HNRFI and grant consent for the development.”
