The Sevington Inland Border Facility Crown development application has today been given approval by the Planning Inspectorate.
The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate by the Department for Transport DfT, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs Defra and His Majesty's Revenues and Customs HMRC on 20 June 2025 and accepted for examination on 28 July 2025.
The proposed development includes buildings, goods vehicle parking spaces, entry lanes, refrigerated semi-trailers, staff car parking spaces, access, site infrastructure, utilities, hardstanding, landscaping and ancillary facilities and associated works; and ongoing use of the site for an Inland Border Facility and Border Control Post, operating 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
The decision to approve was made following an inquiry during which the public, statutory consultees and interested parties were given the opportunity to make representations.
The decision notice including a statement setting out the reasons for the decision can be found on the Crown Development Applications project page .
Notes
The government has implemented two new routes by which Crown bodies can apply for planning permission for development on Crown land in England.
One Crown Development route allows planning applications for Crown developments which are considered of 'national importance' to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate directly instead of to local planning authorities.
Applications taken through this route are determined on the basis of their planning merits, with due consideration of local and national planning policy. Comprehensive engagement takes place with local communities and local planning authorities throughout the decision-making process.
This process is led by an independent Planning Inspector, or a panel of planning Inspectors, appointed by the Secretary of State.
Crown land is defined in section 293 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as land in which there is a Crown interest or a Duchy interest.
