£35 million DX Freight super-hub moves a step closer

DX Freight has now submitted an environmental impact statement detailing how the proposed £35 million headquarters in Essington would affect the surroundings.

Now all that is outstanding before the scheme is determined by planning chiefs on South Staffordshire Council is further information from the company on how the local road infrastructure will cope.

The news may come as a blow to hundreds of residents massively opposed to the scheme who hoped that if the firm did not submit more information by March 18 then the proposal would be rejected.

Councillor David Clifft, who represents Essington, confirmed he would be holding a public meeting to update residents on the new developments once the latest documents had been fully analysed.

He said: "This environmental statement is one of the documents the firm needed to provide to the council. But they still need to provide more information on improvements to the infrastructure because at the moment Highways England are saying no to this."

He added: "I am working closely with the planning department at the council to monitor the situation and as soon as new information is forthcoming I will be calling a public meeting to update residents."

The environment statement is available to view at the council offices in Wolverhampton Road in Codsall.

DX Freight submitted its original plans to the authority last August earmarking a 44-acre site at Hobnock Road.

The scheme includes a 31,462 sq m warehouse and distribution centre, office and gatehouse buildings as well as lorry and car park spaces.

The firm hopes to open the distribution centre by summer next year if it is granted planning consent.

It would see its 400 staff at the current headquarters in Willenhall relocated. More than 800 residents have objected.