Residents meet to oppose warehouse plans

About 200 people attended a public meeting opposing plans to build a large warehouse complex on farmland off the A14.

Rothwell Against Warehouses organised the meeting at Holy Trinity Church in the Northamptonshire town, with people from Desborough and the surrounding villages also attending.

Harworth Estates Investments Ltd submitted plans in January 2025 to build five large warehouses and three smaller units on Nunnery Farm.

In a statement the developer said: "We will continue to engage with the local community, as well as with North Northamptonshire Council and its statutory consultees to address all technical matters."

The planning application has been submitted to council, which will decide whether to approve or reject the development.

Kay Andrews, a member of Rothwell Against Warehouses who attended the meeting, said: "It's going to cover [an area] about the size of 24 football pitches, which is a third of the size of Rothwell.

"The buildings are going to be up to 25 metres high — so huge industrial warehouses on the edge of a town that has no industrial development in it at all.

"It's just going to be horrendous and the traffic impact will be enormous as well."

The developers claimed the complex would create 3,000 jobs and generate £238m for the local economy each year.

"We have undertaken extensive consultation with the local community, engaging with over 700 residents to date," a statement read.

"We recognise the concerns raised regarding the protection of local countryside, traffic, and local employment."

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