US retail giant reveals plans for huge new warehouse on edge of Northamptonshire village
A US retail giant has revealed plans to build a huge new warehouse near Northampton.
Developer Stoford Gallan has revealed plans for a huge 332,000 sq ft Costco logistics facility on land immediately east of Junction 18, next to Costco's existing distribution centre on the outskirts of Crick.
The proposed site, which is currently a mixture of agricultural pasture and previously disturbed land, covers around 11.74 hectares – equivalent to roughly 16 football pitches.
The developer said: “The proposed building would provide dedicated warehousing and distribution accommodation to support Costco’s requirement for additional logistics capacity. The facility would be used for the storage, handling and distribution of bulky household goods, furniture, domestic appliances and other large-format products sold through Costco’s online platform and retail warehousing operations.”
The plans include 331 car parking spaces, 107 HGV spaces and 37 unloading spaces, alongside offices, a transport office and a gatehouse.
The warehouse would be reached from Dockham Way, with the existing access extended into the site.
The developer estimates the scheme could generate around 600 vehicle movements every weekday, including about 220 HGV movements.
The developer says the scheme would create temporary jobs during construction and permanent jobs once the warehouse is up and running, as well as wider economic benefits through local and regional suppliers.
The application also points to the possibility of further logistics development in the wider area.
Stoford Gallan says: “Approximately 106 hectares of land east of DIRFT, the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal, and the M1 is proposed for allocation as an extension to DIRFT, known as DIRFT IV, through the emerging West Northamptonshire Local Plan. DIRFT has expanded through successive phases, DIRFT I, II and III, and, with DIRFT IV now proposed, this demonstrates that the wider area is being planned to accommodate further additional logistics and employment growth.”
The developer says its location beside the M1 makes it suitable for another large logistics operation, describing the surrounding area as “an established commercial, logistics and transport corridor.”
New landscaping, woodland and other planting are also proposed around the development.
The plans are currently at the pre-application stage, so the warehouse does not yet have planning permission.
A full planning application for the proposed Costco facility is expected to follow.