Community feedback
What local residents said
Prior to submitting an application, we undertook a consultation exercise with the local community. We sought feedback on a range of issues, including the need for more logistics jobs locally, the challenges facing job seekers in the local area, and opportunities to incorporate sustainability measures into the proposals.
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to get involved and provide their thoughts. The feedback we received is greatly appreciated and will help us to shape these plans as they come forward.
We have provided below a summary of key themes that arose during our engagement, along with responses from our team.

Key themes
Highways impact and traffic management
Throughout our consultation it was clear that one of the top priorities for those living locally is the state of local roads and the impact that the proposals could have on the highways network. Respondents expressed concerns about the current volume of traffic in the area, particularly along the A14, and whether it could cope with additional traffic arising from our development.
Harworth recognises that this is a priority for local residents and understands that ensuring a workable highways solution is key in order for any new employment site to come forward. As part of our plans we will be providing a new roundabout along Harrington Road to ensure good traffic flow.
We have also assessed the current state of local roads, undertaking a survey on a weekday morning and evening in May 2024. The findings of this assessment have helped to inform our plans and we have also engaged with North Northamptonshire Council’s highways team to understand what other mitigation measures are required. As a result, we are also looking to widen Harrington Road, introduce a reduced speed limit of 40mph along Harrington Road, and deliver upgrades to walking and cycling infrastructure to and from the site. Our proposals will be independently assessed by North Northamptonshire Council as the local highways authority.

Key themes
Biodiversity
A number of respondents mentioned the potential impact of the proposals on local wildlife and biodiversity more widely. There were concerns raised that by developing the site, it would lead to a worse situation for biodiversity. Some respondents were sceptical about whether the plans could be delivered in a manner that enhances biodiversity.
We know that this is a key concern of Rothwell residents and we want to provide reassurance that we are committed to delivering a net gain in biodiversity as part of the proposals. This will mean that the natural environment will be in a better state than it was before the development.
In order to achieve this we are proposing to plant over 400 new trees, as well as providing species-rich hedgerows and wildflower meadows. This will deliver a net gain in biodiversity that exceeds national requirements.

Key themes
The type of jobs provided
There was a perception from respondents that the local area is currently saturated with low-paid and low-skilled jobs, which limits potential for career progression and forces young people to move away to find skilled employment opportunities. There was a desire to see more skilled jobs, particularly in areas such as manufacturing.
We are confident that our plans can help to address this. Our plans for Rothwell include a mixture of units, split between B2 (general industrial, such as manufacturing or repair work) and B8 (storage and distribution). This will help to cater market need and deliver jobs in a range of skillsets. Based on the nature of the facilities we are proposing, we anticipate that the majority of jobs onsite will require Level 3 qualifications or above.

FAQs
Your key questions answered
Throughout our engagement with the community we received a number of common questions. We’ve provided a summary of these along with our responses below.
What are you going to do to manage the impact on the roads?
We undertook an assessment of local roads on a weekday morning and evening in May 2024 to understand their current state and the potential impact our plans could have. We are committed to providing a new roundabout on Harrington Road to ease traffic flow but recognise that there are other existing pressure points locally. We are committed to working closely with North Northamptonshire Council to identify any other mitigation measures required.
You have said this could deliver approximately 3,000 jobs. How did you calculate this figure?
In order to calculate potential job numbers, Harworth Group used the industry standard methodology which looks at the type of units proposed and the floor space they will deliver to understand what facilities of this nature would typically provide. For this site, that figure is approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs.
Won’t this just deliver low-paid and low-skilled jobs?
No. The scheme we are looking to deliver includes a mixture of industrial and logistics units and this will ensure that the site caters to a range of skill levels. Based on the projected use class of the units a majority of the jobs on the site will require employees to possess a Level 3 qualification or above.
Doesn’t the local area already have enough sites like this?
Prior to bringing these plans forward, we undertook research into local employment markets to assess what is needed in the area. This market research identified that there is substantial interest in new industrial and logistics units, and that has helped to shape our vision for the site. Many businesses are looking for new, more sustainable premises as the UK moves towards a net zero carbon economy and we are confident our site can help to meet this need.
How can you improve biodiversity if you are building on farmland?
Modern arable farming can limit biodiversity, with monoculture fields and pesticides reducing habitat and food sources for wildlife. As part of this development, we are able to enhance biodiversity on the site through a range of methods. This includes the planting of over 400 new trees, as well as providing species-rich hedgerows and wildflower meadows. This will allow us to exceed national biodiversity requirements.