Called Magna Park, the seven warehouses – covering an area equivalent to 135 football pitches – would be built between Park Farm, Stanground, and the railway tracks of the Nuneaton to Felixstowe line.

A rail freight intercharge would be erected on the "inland port" site so goods destined for major companies, including Asda and John Lewis, could be unloaded.

In the next three days, Gazeley, the logistics giant behind the scheme, is expected to post 6,000 letters to Stanground residents revealing its intention to build the four million sq ft complex.

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Stretching across 135 hectares of farmland, Magna Park would abut the Nene Washes conservation area, and would include a wetland park to the west of the development.

With 1,525 homes and a dual-carriageway earmarked for land south of Oakdale Avenue, the two schemes would see Stanground – once a village on Peterborough's periphery – encircled by new developments.

Although a Gazeley spokesman said the firm had a "desire to do things properly", the proposal could come up against a wall of opposition.
Stanground Central councillors Brian Rush and Irene Walsh and Stanground East councillor Janet Wilkinson believe there will be a furious reaction when the plans are made public.

Among a raft of concerns are increased traffic, the possibility of flooding, the impact on the water table, the disturbance of wildfowl habitats and the exacerbation of Peterborough's low-skilled economy by building more warehouses.

Cllr Rush said: "People in Stanground bought houses to look over the open aspect of this land. In future, they will be looking out over warehouses. When residents find out about this complex there will be uproar."

Cllr Wilkinson added: "People living in Park Farm would lose the view across what is currently farmland. It will change that part of Stanground."

Cllr Marco Cereste, the third Stanground Central member, said he could not comment on the scheme because he sits on Peterborough City Council's planning and environmental protection committee, but speaking generally about warehousing he said: "It is a fallacy to believe that most distribution jobs are lowly paid.

"They can be highly skilled and highly paid."

North West Cambridgeshire MP Shailesh Vara said: "Jobs are always welcome but it is important that they fit in with the local community. It is also important that a development of this size is done with the full and proper consultation of the local community, particularly taking account of local concerns and anxieties."

Chief executive of Peterborough Chamber of Commerce John Bridge said the rail freight interchange would have wider implications for the region, including removing traffic from the perennially clogged A14.

He said: "We have to recognise that Peterborough is ideally placed on the crossroads of rail and road routes. One of the main benefits would be taking freight off the A14 – something that would have a positive impact on the entire region."

READ ET COMMENT:5,400 jobs but at what cost and to who?

A Gazeley spokesman said that there would be a future increase in rail freight between Nuneaton and Felixstowe following a Government decision to upgrade the line.

It would mean that a regional freight interchange – made up of railway sidings and a container yard – would be built on the northern boundary of Magna Park.

The spokesman said: "People do not like change but we are committed to working with residents. As with all things, there are benefits and costs. We hope to prove that the benefits will outweigh the costs."

Plans for Magna Park are included in the city councils Core Strategy – one of the documents which will eventually replace the Local Plan.
While the Core Strategy notes that Peterborough is seen as an ideal location for a rail-connected distribution centre, possible disadvantages listed include the impact on the existing natural environment and the site's proximity to a flood zone.

However, in a sign of intent, a Peterborough rail freight interchange has been included in a Government short list of major transport projects in the West Midlands.

Magna Park factfile
Magna Park is expected to create 4,000 jobs on-site, 800 jobs off-site and 600 jobs during construction. The 4 million sq ft complex stretching across 135 hectares of farmland will include:

Seven warehouses distribution centre covering an area equivalent to 135 football pitches;
A new rail freight intercharge ((with railway sidings and container yard) where goods can be unloaded;
A park with lakes to provide a buffer for nearby residents;
A wetland area to protect against floods.
Work to build a road bypassing
Stanground, between junction 3a of the Fletton Parkway and Whittlesey Road, is already underway, but Gazeley wants the bypass to be duelled along its entire route.
As part of the development, a new roundabout will be built to the north of Horsey Hill fort, turning a stretch of Toll Road into a minor road.
Gazeley's contract with site operators will forbid heavy goods vehicles from using the local road network other than the new Stanground bypass.
As the site occupies a flood plain, in order to mitigate increased run-off, much of the site will be given over to lakes and a wetland park.
Magna Park would be in operation for 24 hours a day and "lighting will be required to permit safe working after dark".
A full assessment on surrounding heritage features, potential archaeology, flood risk, ecology and noise impact will be carried out prior to the submission of a planning application.
Gazeley has also attempted to reduce the visual impact of its buildings by using a graded colour cladding, which it claims helps the structures blend into the background.