Brexit lorry park plans for Devon

Locations not yet disclosed

New lorry parks could be built in Devon as part of the UK’s preparations for Brexit.

Under new powers the government is set to grant itself, temporary planning permission to develop land for the lorry parks in 29 areas of the UK, including Devon, could be granted. The government is preparing new border controls for all goods imported from the European Union from January.

Local councils will not have the power to stop the lorry parks, which could soon stay in place until 2026.

Devon County Council said that they were aware of the new order and would ensure that Devon’s interests were represented if and when any plans came forward. However there is information about where the lorry parks could be sited.

The order would not apply to Devon’s National Parks, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, European Protected Sites, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, World Heritage Coastline or listed buildings – meaning that Dartmoor, Exmoor, and large parts of East Devon would not be available for use.

A spokesman for Devon County Council said: “Each application would need approval by the secretary of state who would consider elements including whether there would be a likely significant effect on environmentally sensitive areas."

As a unitary authority separate to Devon County Council, Plymouth is also on the list of 29 ports and inland cities being considered for the border control posts. Additional, plans are well advanced for a new border control post at Millbay Docks. The city council has been working with owner Associated British Ports and Brittany Ferries on the new unit, in consultation with the Brexit planning team at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Last year the council has identified a site for a temporary lorry park at Derriford to cope with possible disruption to port traffic caused by a no-deal Brexit.

The regulation giving the government powers to set up the lorry parks acknowledges concerns about preparations for new trade arrangements after the free flow of goods between the UK and the EU ends. It says new controls will apply to all goods imported from the EU from January 1, 2021. They will need new border facilities for customs compliance and health checks.

The document says: “While port operators would normally provide the border facilities, there is limited space for the new facilities at some ports. Additionally, the government is aware that the impact of coronavirus may have affected the ability of port operators and businesses to provide the necessary infrastructure by the end of the year.”

It says where there is limited space at ports, the government will provide new inland sites where checks and other border processes will take place.

A government spokesperson said: “We are taking back control of our borders and leaving the single market and the customs union at the end of this year, bringing both changes and significant opportunities for which we all need to prepare.

“In July 2020, the government committed to spending £470m on new border infrastructure to support ports in building extra capacity to meet the new control requirements where there is space to do so, and, if necessary, to build additional inland sites across the country where checks can take place.