A massive new mail centre where almost 1,000 people will be employed has been given the go-ahead for development on the outskirts of Northampton.
The West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) last night gave Royal Mail permission to build the £70 million centre in Tithe Barn Way on the Swan Valley industrial estate, close to junction 15a of the M1.
The centre, which will cover 44 acres, will provide a permanent replacement for the Barrack Road sorting office which caught fire in 2003 as well as replacing an ageing sorting office in Coventry.
Backing the plans last night, WNDC planning committee member, Councillor Brian Hoare (Lib Dem, Abington) said: "There's going to be a lot of employment at this site which I think is to be really welcomed."
He was backed by fellow WNDC member and development expert David Dickinson.
He said: "I'm very pleased there's going to be something like 1,000 jobs here.
"I also think it's a very well designed building which is suitable to its location."
It is estimated a total of 945 postal workers will be employed at the site, which stands next to the current warehouses of jeans firm Levi's and supermarket chain Morrisons.
The depot, which will replace a temporary sorting office in Crow Lane, Great Billing, will operate 24-hours a day, with staff working on three separate shifts.
Despite the size of the massive new facility, Royal Mail has said it will not be open for the public to collect post. Instead, Royal Mail plans to upgrade current collection facilities elsewhere in Northampton.
During last night's meeting to discuss the plans, officials from the WNDC said some concerns had been raised about traffic and noise created because of the development, but the board heard that as the depot would be more than half a mile away from the nearest house it was unlikely to bother residents.
The site which will be built on is undeveloped grassland. Royal Mail first revealed plans to develop the area in July this year.
The move has been opposed by union leaders, who fear the development will lead to the loss of jobs in Coventry and possibly also at nearby Milton Keynes.