Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council's planning committee has deferred a decision on a proposed 95,000 sq ft warehouse on land next to Hammonds Way and Nutts Lane in Hinckley, asking developers to reconsider their plans.
The committee met on Wednesday to decide whether to approve the storage unit, which would comprise an industrial unit and offices near the A5 Watling Street.
Concerns raised over height and noise
Councillor Ann Pendlebury told the committee the warehouse would be 16.5 metres (54 feet) tall and raised concerns about its scale in an established residential area. She warned that 24/7 operations could cause noise and light pollution for nearby homes.
Councillor Keith Lynch said he liked the design but expressed concerns about heavy goods vehicles accessing the site throughout the day and night, adding to existing disturbance in the area.
"Those lorries are going to be rolling in and out of there day and night - that would add to the disturbance of people already living there," he said. "Personally, I think the developers can do better than this. It may involve lowering the building. It may involve moving it away."
Councillor Richard Allen said solutions existed to reduce the impact on residents, even if they involved cost implications to the developer.
Developer's case
Hannah Swanstone, for applicant Hinckley Investment LLP, told the committee the site had been vacant and run down for more than a decade, and described the plan as "the very best scheme to meet the needs of employment space".