Neighbours protest as DX Freight reveals new super hub plans

It comes after a previous bid by the DX Group for a distribution centre in Essington was thrown out by council bosses.

The firm showcased its new plans, which have been scaled down in size in response to residents' concerns, at Essington Rugby Club. The original site was set to cost £36 million and cover 44 acres.

But residents, who had fiercely opposed the original plans, remain against the proposal. Around two dozen protesters with placards reading – ' Essington says no to DX Freight super hub' – attended the public exhibition on Thursday night.

Councillor David Clifft, from South Staffordshire Council's planning committee, said: "DX Group hasn't submitted a planning application yet but the proposals were more to test the reaction of residents.

"I think it will be in a month before they put the new planning application in. We will have to go through meetings for them."

Residents have been against the proposed super hub due to traffic fears, and concerns about light and pollution.

Councillor Clifft said DX Group would still appeal against the council's refusal of the original plans, despite unveiling new proposals.

"That is the question we have asked (why they will still appeal) and we haven't got a response from them," he said. "An appeal could take 12 to 18 months but they haven't put one in yet.

"What they are banking on is, if they don't get this planning application, then they will still have the appeal to go through."

Developers said the 'built form' of the scheme is 32 per cent smaller in size compared to the last application.

In the previous scheme two buildings – a distribution centre building and a service centre building – will now be combined into one. A community area has also been increased in size by 24 per cent up to 12.5 acres.

All DX HGVs will route 'solely and directly' to Junction 11 of the M6, they added.

DX Group would also introduce a new 12.5-acre wild flower meadow, within the site off Hobnock Road, for the community.

The company has also revisited its plans for transport in relation to the super hub HGVs would access the site though a dedicated entrance on Bursnips Road and only travel on there to Junction 11 of the M6.

No HGVs would go through central Essington village, the firm said. And 550 jobs would be secured, alongside 150 new roles being created. But despite the revised plans, residents were still opposed the to the new facility.

Anne Cooper, aged 76, from Essington, said: "This will ruin the whole environment. Junction 11 on the M6 is as bad enough as it is. It will just add to the traffic. I am against the plans."

Kevin Fullard, 64, also from the village, said: "I am certainly against the plans. We live on a road with 650 truck movements a night.

"There will be a truck from every town in the United Kingdom that will be travelling here at night. We won't be able to get any sleep with the vibration."

Barry Ashby, 77, from Essington, added: "What concerns me is the pollution from the vehicles. In Essington there is already pollution from two motorways."

James Anderson, associate director of TurIey planning consultants, said: "I think people are much more open now (about the plans).

"People still have concerns but we understand that. The key is to listen to people and work with those concerns, particularly with transport."

Daniel Gallagher, joint managing director of Stoford Developments, who would lead the build, said: "It has been good today, there has been a really good mix (of views).

"A lot of people acknowledge the site as a blot on the land. But work is being done on the ins and outs of roads.

"No HGVs will go through Essington. Not everyone was against the plans, with had some quite positive comments too."