Huge new Bassetlaw logistics park set to create 3,000 jobs

Mulberry Logistics Park - which will be the size of more than 23 football fields - is planned for land half-a-mile north of junction 34 of the A1.

The massive new distribution centre is described by applicant Mulberry Developments as ‘flexible, state-of-the-art warehouse space with units from 350,000 sq ft up to 1 million sq ft in a single building’.

Simon Greaves, leader of Bassetlaw Council, described the project as ‘the fifth largest development granted permission in the entire country last year’.

He said: “It is envisaged to bring forward up to 3500 jobs plus others within the supply chain and linked construction jobs.

“We can certainly say that Bassetlaw is open for business.”

Access would be provided at three points on the site - via new junctions on Blyth Road, Bawtry Road and Snape Lane.

Dan Mitchell, of planning consultancy Barton Willmore, said: “As well as economic growth and the creation of thousands of new local job opportunities.

“The larger warehouse units in Harworth will give their occupiers much greater flexibility in their day-to-day operations with the added bonus of being located close to air, sea, rail links and of course the motorway network via the A1.”

Mark Day, development director at Mulberry Developments, said: “The logistics sector - led by retailers and third-party logistics operators - has moved towards very large-scale regional distribution centres at key transport locations and this new planning consent enables us to respond to the demand with a logistics park of the very highest quality to serve the north midlands and South Yorkshire markets.”

However despite the enthusiasm of some politicians and business leaders others living closer to the site have voiced concerns.

Councillor Jack Bowker, Bassetlaw Council member for Blyth, wrote how the development might become a ‘white elephant’ if its eventual tenant moved out.

Other letters of objection pointed out that the revised application Bassetlaw planners had approved allowed for larger units than originally proposed.

Those objecting feared larger-scale units would have a negative effect on nearby grade I listed 18th century mansion Serlby Hall.