Councillors approve £100m warehouse plan despite backlash
Major employment park in Thrapston gets green light amid fears for countryside
A £100m warehouse park in Thrapston has been approved despite fierce local opposition and criticism from campaigners, councillors, and residents.
North Northamptonshire Council voted 8–2 in favour of plans by IM Properties to build a 60-hectare logistics and business hub north of the Haldens Parkway industrial estate. The development, expected to bring over 2,000 jobs and £5m a year in business rates, will include warehousing, industrial units, and small business space.
The decision was met with boos and shouts of "shame on you" from gallery campaigners. More than 800 people had objected to the proposal, citing environmental damage, traffic issues, and the project’s clash with the local plan.
Titchmarsh parish councillor Sylvia Prestwich warned that the village would be “engulfed”, while MP Lee Barron and several local councillors called the plans inappropriate for a rural area.
Despite this, planning officers had recommended approval, with IM Properties arguing the scheme meets urgent market need and will boost economic growth. Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.