What the planning documents show as the council prepares to decide
As Erewash Borough Council prepares to make a decision, planning documents for a proposed Fassa Bortolo manufacturing plant at New Stanton Park show the single factory unit would generate around 260 heavy goods vehicle (HGV) movements every day, with all raw materials and finished products transported by road.
The figures, contained within the submitted Transport Assessment and supporting technical reports, have become a focal point of local concern – particularly around traffic, infrastructure and the long-discussed possibility of rail freight.
No rail freight included in the submitted application
When the scheme was first announced in autumn, it was suggested the company was “keen on” using the Stanton rail spur. However, the application currently awaiting determination does not include any rail freight connection.
None of the submitted documents reference:
- rail freight use
- a rail spur or sidings
- rail infrastructure
- or rail-based transport of materials
All inbound and outbound movements associated with the Fassa plant are by HGV only.
The rail line sometimes shown on early masterplan drawings was an early concept, not a requirement of the planning permission, and the current documents confirm it will not be delivered as part of this development.
What is proposed?
The Italian construction materials firm is proposing a minerals-based production facility on Plot 3B at New Stanton Park.
The plans include:
- a 60-metre mixing tower
- milling equipment
- a large warehouse
All raw materials would be delivered by lorry, and all finished products would leave the site by road.
Raw material deliveries
According to the applicant’s documents, the factory would require approximately 32,000 tonnes of limestone every month, sourced from the Matlock area.
Based on an average 20-tonne payload per vehicle, this equates to:
- 1,600 limestone lorries per month
- around 53 trucks per day
- 106 daily HGV movements (in and out)
This figure relates to limestone alone.
Additional materials
The plant would also require deliveries of cement, lime, chalk, perlite and other additives.
Together, these account for a further:
- 13 trucks per day
- 26 daily HGV movements
Finished products
The factory is expected to produce around 40,000 tonnes of dry mortar each month.
Because the application does not include rail freight facilities, all finished products would also be transported by HGV, resulting in:
- 66 outbound lorries per day
- 132 daily HGV movements
Overall traffic impact
Combined, the figures indicate:
- around 130 HGVs entering the site each day
- approximately 260 individual HGV movements per day
These figures relate to a single factory unit.
No routeing agreement proposed
The application does not include a routeing agreement, meaning vehicles would not be restricted to specific roads.
Based on the transport documents, limestone deliveries from Matlock are likely to use:
- the A6
- A610
- A6096
before accessing the site via Stanton Gate and Lows Lane.
Outbound vehicles are expected to travel towards:
- the A6096
- the A608
- and onwards to M1 junctions 25 and 26
Local roads affected
The projected HGV traffic would place additional pressure on several local routes, including:
- Lows Lane
- Stanton Gate
- Ilkeston Road (A6096)
- the A608
- roads through Trowell, Giltbrook and Awsworth
What about rail in the future?
Separately, the wider New Stanton Park plans include a proposed rail freight hub elsewhere on the site. However:
- it is not part of the Fassa application
- it is not required until around 70% of the wider development is complete
- and it would not serve this factory in the short term
In short:
- There is no rail spur into the Fassa site
- All freight in the current application is by road
- Any future rail hub would come much later, if delivered at all
Awaiting a decision
The planning application (ERE/1025/0059) is now awaiting a decision by Erewash Borough Council.
Ilkeston News will continue to follow the process and report on any updates, conditions or changes as they arise.