Distribution centre redevelopment poised for Heywood  

CGI of planned DWP Distribution Centre redevelopment, Heywood

The current home of the Department of Work and Pensions’ DCS Distribution Centre could still be flattened and redeveloped – despite the planning committee refusing it back in December.

The planning committee refused the original plans due to its scale and poor design, but now the developer, Trammell Crow Co Logistics (Heywood) Ltd, has appealed the decision. Another reason for the refusal by the planning committee was it would have ‘detrimental and unacceptable impacts on the noise environment’.

Planning officers asked the committee to remove the ‘impact on noise and environment’ reference due to there being no evidence of this. After lots of questions over the legalities and rules regarding how it would impact a court case, the committee agreed with the officers' recommendation to drop this reason for refusal.

A planning report read: “As stated, the applicant has served formal notice of their intention to appeal the council’s decision. The council will be required to produce evidence to support the reason for refusal or otherwise be found to have behaved unreasonably, resulting in an award of costs in favour of the applicant.

“In relation to the impact of the development, the council’s environmental health officer (EHO) has reviewed all of the relevant information submitted by both the applicant and the third party objector. The advice is clear that the noise impact of the scheme can be suitably mitigated to a level that is acceptable provided that conditions are attached.

“The council is in a position where it cannot offer any evidence to support this part of the reason for refusal.”

If the appeal from the developer is successful, all the buildings would be demolished, the site would be cleared and three new buildings for storage and distribution (use class B8) would be erected.

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter