HUNDREDS of new jobs look set to be created at a distribution park near Lutterworth.
Gazeley UK, the owners of Magna Park, has submitted plans for a biomass power station and HGV depot at the distribution centre which they say will create about 330 jobs.
The biomass station will provide power to the various warehouses at Magna Park by burning waste wood chips and Gazeley says it will save about £3 million a year in energy bills because of the low cost of wood chippings and Government subsidies the scheme will attract.
The news comes in the same week that national haulage firm Stobart was given planning approval for a distribution depot at the former George clothing site which will create another 100 jobs – meaning there could be more than 400 new jobs at the site in total.
Gwyn Stubbings, Gazeley’s planning manager, said the aim of the biomass scheme is to provide cheap energy to the companies which use Magna Park.
He added: “It will provide clean power to the firms at Magna Park and it safeguards the future of many jobs.”
The HGV depot will be attached to the Stobart group’s existing warehouse at Magna Park, which the firm owns in addition to the new one it has planned to build at the former George site.
Mr Stubbings added: “The biomass station and HGV depot applications are not directly related but were submitted together a few days before Christmas.
“Leicestershire County Council and Harborough District Council are currently looking at them to decide which authority will make a decision.