Maple Cross warehouse plans go to Planning Inspectorate

BCL said it would go to the Planning Inspectorate because of Three Rivers District Council's "failure" to make a final decision on its scheme on time.

In October, Liberal Democrat councillors deferred the proposal in order to seek an independent expert's view on how piling the development site near Maple Lodge Nature Reserve could affect groundwater.

The applicants said they were "disappointed" by the deferral and said if no final decision was reached by November 19, they would issue an appeal over the time the council was taking to make a decision.

Related: Council given ultimatum on warehouse plans after delaying decision

Planning agent Tim Sturgess said this was because the application had exceeded its statutory determination period and previous extensions of time had already been "reasonably agreed".

He added: "Given the time and cost that has gone into both the previous and current applications, our client is not minded to continue to let this matter run without any further commitment of a resolution by the council."

Outlined is the warehouse development site. Credit: Google Maps

Mr Sturgess said his client was prepared to hold off on lodging an appeal until November 19 - the day after a planning committee meeting was scheduled.

However, the application was not included in the meeting agenda and remains unresolved, prompting BCL to go to the Planning Inspectorate. The appeal process officially began on January 20.

An inquiry will take place in the coming weeks and months with evidence set to be presented to the case officer, appointed by the Secretary of State, in April.

A council spokesperson said: "When the application came before the planning committee, our members were not persuaded by the evidence submitted by the applicants that the scheme would not have a negative impact.

"Officers were asked to commission consultants’ reports. These are still being sought as it has been difficult in the current environment to find companies willing and able to undertake the work.

"We will be putting the consultants findings back to members when they are received, but it is the applicants' right to appeal on non-determination."

Related: Decision to build two warehouses in Maple Cross deferred by council

The plans would see two warehouses constructed on green fields in Maple Cross. The land has been allocated by the council for employment but environmentalists and residents who live close by are campaigning to stop the development.

They are concerned about the impact on water, noise, the threat to a rare forester moth, and traffic. One resident nearly left the meeting on October 21 in tears.

The applicants say the warehouses will create around 600 direct and indirect jobs.

The appeal reference on the Planning Inspectorate website is APP/P1940/W/21/3289305.