A major commercial development more than twice the size of Fosse Park has been proposed on the outskirts of Hinckley. Wilson Bowden Developments, a leading commercial and residential property developer, has earmarked the site for the ambitious project, which will encompass both warehouse and office spaces.
While no formal planning application has been submitted, a scoping request has been made to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC). This request seeks guidance on the necessary environmental and planning considerations for the forthcoming application. HBBC planning officers have deemed the request “satisfactory.” The proposed site spans both Hinckley and Bosworth and Nuneaton and Bedworth boroughs, though it primarily falls within HBBC’s jurisdiction.
Scale and Scope of the Development
Documents submitted to HBBC describe the proposal as an “employment development” featuring 1.6 million square feet of floorspace. This will include offices, industrial units, and storage and distribution buildings. For comparison, Fosse Park, following its expansion, has approximately 750,000 square feet of floor space.
The planning portal lists the location as Chase Fields Farm, though documents also refer to it as Harrow and Wapping Farm. A map of the site shows it positioned next to the A5 at Watling Street, close to Leicestershire’s frequently-hit railway bridge.
Similar Developments and Concerns
The proposed site is just across the A5 from another large-scale warehouse and office scheme at Padge Hall Farm, which was approved in 2023. That plan faced strong opposition from Hinckley and Bosworth’s planning committee, with councillors warning that increased traffic could have a “catastrophic” impact and that the project would effectively merge Hinckley with Nuneaton. However, because most of that application’s land fell under the jurisdiction of Rugby and Nuneaton and Bedworth councils, it was ultimately approved with a commitment to lowering the road beneath the notorious railway bridge.
Environmental and Planning Considerations
In the scoping request, Wilson Bowden’s planning agent, Pegasus Group, sought confirmation from HBBC that its planned environmental assessments would be sufficient for the application. Chris Brown, the head of planning at HBBC, confirmed that the council was satisfied with the proposed approach.
Wilson Bowden’s Track Record
Wilson Bowden is a well-established developer with a history of major projects in the county. It was responsible for The Crescent in Hinckley town centre, which opened in 2015 and includes a Sainsbury’s superstore, a Cineworld cinema, restaurants, a TK Maxx, and a bus station. The company has also developed significant employment, retail, and industrial projects at locations such as Bede Island in Leicester city centre, Optimus Point in Glenfield, Wigston Business Park, and the Pegasus and Willow Farm business parks in Castle Donington.
With its extensive experience, Wilson Bowden is likely to move forward with a formal planning application soon. If approved, the development could bring significant employment opportunities to the area while also raising concerns about infrastructure and traffic impact. Residents and local authorities will be closely monitoring the progress of this major project.
