A DELIVERY giant’s long-awaited new ‘mega hub’ has been revealed - after plans were finally submitted to Barnsley Council promising up to 800 jobs.
Hermes, whose ‘state-of-the-art’ plan relates to a site close to junction 36 of the M1 dubbed Hoyland West, promises to be the largest hub in Europe at 363,000sq ft and will be capable of processing more than a million parcels per day.
The would-be facility, already named ‘Colossus’ by Hermes, has been earmarked for completion in two years’ time.
The site has been allocated for development within the council’s local plan blueprint and can accommodate 49.3 hectares of land for employment use, though many residents of the area claimed they were not properly consulted with and a petition gained over 1,200 signatures.
A planning statement said: “From its inception in 1974 Hermes has grown to be one of the largest of the UK’s largest parcel delivery companies.
“Currently, Hermes has two parcel hubs and 28 depots, 18,000 couriers and 3,700 employees. The new mega hub proposed in Barnsley, and the subject of this planning application, will generate up to 800 jobs with 500 permanent employee contracts.
“Colossus is strategically located near the motorway, close to several of Hermes’ retail customers’ distribution sites. This means that later cut-off times for collections will be provided.
“Our continued investment to strengthen our network and infrastructure across the UK is laying the foundations for future growth, creating more employment opportunities and confirming our position as an industry leader.”
If approved by the council’s planning board, Hermes’ arrival would generate £41m in investment via a 20-year lease commitment.
A total of 607 new car parking spaces, 43 disability spaces, 33 motorcycle spaces and 60 cycle spaces are also included in the plan, which is a hybrid application and includes an attempt to secure permission for a neighbouring employment site.
A council spokesperson said: “Barnsley Council has received the planning application for related proposals on the land we have identified for employment use between Sheffield Road and the M1 motorway at Hoyland.
“The site falls within the area covered by the recent Hoyland West masterplan framework consultation.
“While that consultation has only recently closed, with the results yet to be fully analysed, and a framework yet to be adopted, developers are still entitled to submit planning applications and the council has a statutory duty to consider them.
“The interest in the site is welcomed although the timing of these applications, which is not ideal so soon after the consultation, is out of the council’s control.
“The applicant has therefore been made aware that these applications cannot be determined until the council has finalised and adopted the Hoyland West masterplan framework.
“Our primary focus is therefore on considering all the comments received in response to the masterplan consultation, and thereafter, we will be working hard to finalise the masterplan framework document as soon as we can.
“In the meantime, we will be publicising the planning applications and would urge those with an interest in the site to also respond to these planning applications so that we can take account of the views of local people and act on these where necessary.”
