The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has approved the £1bn development of Daventry International Rail Freight Interchange (DIRFT III) terminal.
Claimed to be the largest rail-linked logistics development in the UK, the development consent order follows after the Planning Inspectorate completed an examination process.
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Planning Inspectorate chief executive Simon Ridley said: "The examination of the application was completed within the timescales prescribed in the Planning Act and a recommendation made to the UK Transport Secretary. Today’s decision supports that recommendation."
"A major priority for us over the course of the examination was to ensure that communities, who might be affected by this proposal, had the opportunity to put forward their views. As always, the Examining Authority gave careful consideration to these before reaching a conclusion."
The approval allows for the expansion of the existing Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal, which currently comprises two rail connected warehouse developments known as DIRFT I and DIRFT II.
Daventry is on the freight rail route between London and the West Midlands and DIRFT III is the third phase of the transport hub that will be to the north in Rugby.
The project will involve the construction and operation of a new rail link from the existing DIRFT to a replacement interchange, together with new transhipment sidings, container storage, a heavy-goods vehicle (HGV) reception area, up to 731,000m² of rail served storage, operational facilities, a lorry park and a strategic open space.
Upon completion, DIRFT III will be able to handle more than 500,000 containers a year.
Image: Development consent has been granted for the expansion of the existing Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal. Photo: courtesy of UK DfT.
