Government grants itself permission to build 'Brexit lorry park' in Lancashire without planning permission

A huge 'Brexit lorry park' could be built in Lancashire without local planning permission after the Government passed emergency powers yesterday (September 3).
The government has given itself powers to grant emergency planning permission for it to build temporary lorry parks and inspection posts in 29 councils areas across England, including Lancashire, without the need for local approval. Pic: GoogleThe government has given itself powers to grant emergency planning permission for it to build temporary lorry parks and inspection posts in 29 councils areas across England, including Lancashire, without the need for local approval. Pic: Google
The government has given itself powers to grant emergency planning permission for it to build temporary lorry parks and inspection posts in 29 councils areas across England, including Lancashire, without the need for local approval. Pic: Google

With Brexit just four months away, the government has handed itself powers to grant emergency planning permission for lorry parks and inspection posts to be built in 29 councils areas across England, without the need for local approval.

Lancashire is among the 29 council areas where the Government has proposed building the lorry parks after it granted itself emergency planning powers under the The Town and Country Planning (Border Facilities and Infrastructure) (EU Exit) (England) Special Development Order 2020, which was passed on Thursday (September 3).

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It means the Government can now begin construction on lorry parks across large parts of England to avoid chaotic queues at ports without the need for approval from local councils, and without consultation with residents.

Lancashire County Council were approached for comment on the plans, but it said it was unable to provide details.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "The planning aspect is not something for us to comment on as we'd never be the deciding authority on this type of development, that would be the borough or district councils through their planning departments."

The government said the lorry parks could stay in place until the end of 2025 and would help provide an "an orderly transition to the new system of controls to secure the border" following Brexit.

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It added that the lorry parks would "help to address the impact coronavirus may have on port operators' ability to provide the necessary infrastructure themselves".

The Government has not confirmed where the Lancashire site would be located, but it is has been speculated that Heysham would be a key location due to its port.

The government has already started constructing holding facilities for lorries in Kent, which will be used to park goods vehicles which don’t have the correct paperwork to enter the EU.

The holding pens are a key part of the UK's plans to avoid border delays from January 1, 2020 when full customs controls will be imposed on goods travelling from Britain to the EU.

The full list of the 29 council areas affected by the Government's plans can be found here.

More to follow...