Parcel depot plan blocked by agency
A row has blown up over plans for a new Parceline depot in Cornwall.
The regional development agency has blocked the move because it says the jobs are “unskilled”.
The express parcels carrier has been searching for two years for a new site after outgrowing its current premises in Goonhavern.
It submitted a proposal to the build the new base – which it says will bring new jobs to the county and secure existing ones – at a strategically-placed Indian Queens site owned by the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA).
The public agency has 19 acres of land left to develop at Indian Queens but rejected Parceline’s bid for part of it because it says the jobs were “not of the right quality”. It also says it has interest from two large international manufacturers for the remaining land.
Outraged Parceline executive director Chris Ogg called on SWRDA to reconsider its decision, saying: “We have identified Indian Queens as the only suitable site for a new depot that would secure jobs and serve the public in Cornwall.
“This decision puts local jobs at risk. We have been in the region for 25 years, and are keen to continue our investment.
“We have been looking for more than two years to find a site in the area where we can expand and create additional jobs.
“We want to move to Indian Queens as it is sufficiently near to allow us the best chance of retaining our existing staff. Preserving their long-term job security is our over-riding priority.
He added: “At a time when the region is suffering from a major blow with the loss of hundreds of jobs in the china clay sector, we would expect that every effort would be made to preserve existing employment and to encourage companies like Parceline, which has invested in the region for a number of years and wishes to continue to do so.” Mr Ogg added: “No viable alternative has been put forward by SWRDA.”
But the agency argues that the type of jobs Parceline offers do not match its aspirations for the site, off the A30.
A spokesman confirmed the decision, saying it needed to give priority to two major inward investors. It added that it had put forward other land options for Parceline to consider.
He said: “We appreciate that Parceline is disappointed with our decision but we felt that the proposal would not have delivered a sufficient number of quality jobs.
