The UK development project called the Northampton Gateway Rail Freight Interchange has been approved by the Secretary of State for Transport. Development consent has been given for the interchange itself, but also for the landscaping, access and other supporting infrastructure works. This was announced by the government last Thursday 10 October.

The proposed project consists of an intermodal freight terminal including container storage and HGV parking, new road infrastructure and works to the existing road network. This includes provision of a new access and associated works to the A508, a new bypass to the village of Roade, and substantial improvements to Junction 15 of the M1.

Process

The project is located on land west of the A508, south west of M1 Junction 15 and east of Northampton Loop Line and the application was submitted by Roxhill Developments Limited on 21 May 2018. It was accepted for examination on 15 June 2018. Following an examination during which the public, statutory consultees and interested parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, a recommendation was made to the Secretary of State on 09 July 2019.

The Planning Inspectorate’s Chief Executive, Sarah Richards said: “The Planning Inspectorate has again demonstrated its ability to examine Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) within timescales laid down in the Planning Act 2008, which provides developers and investors with the confidence to build and improve the infrastructure this country needs to secure future economic growth.”