REFUSED - Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange

Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI) have been rejected.

We received a letter today from the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander MP, confirming the refusal.

We were opposed plans for the 662-acre hub, earmarked for a huge expanse of countryside between the M69 and the Birmingham to Leicester rail line. Lying southwest of Elmesthorpe and on the edge of Burbage Common, the rail hub was the brainchild of developers Tritax Symmetry.

Classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, which initially began in 2018, the final say on the scheme lay with the Secretary of State for Transport.

Following an in-depth, six-month examination by the Planning Inspectorate last year the Minister was recommended to reject the plans.

In September 2024 Ms Alexander's predecessor, Louise Haigh MP, agreed, saying she was 'minded to refuse' the project. However, she gave developers, Tritax Symmetry, more time to submit further evidence in support of their application. A new decision date of Monday 10 March was set.