Planners reject concrete mixing plant

PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have thrown out a retrospective application for permission for a concrete mixing plant at Woolston.
By seven votes to one, the borough council’s development management committee rejected the application by Stoke-on-Trent-based Mincrete Ltd at the Forward Works site in Bridge Lane.
The proposal had been strongly opposed by local residents, by Woolston Parish Council and by the three local Labour candidates for next year’s borough council elections – Chris Vobe, Andrew Hill and Pat Wright.
The committee was told the applicant had been operating the plant since September 2017
Objections were on the grounds of noise, dirt, air pollution and highway safety.
Addressing the committee, Mr Vobe said: “To say that this enterprise has been a blight on many lives in the local community would be an understatement.
“I wholeheartedly support the comments that have been submitted by residents. The development has led to increased traffic which is now seriously affecting the safety of people who use the pathways and walkways in the vicinity of the site. Wholly disproportionate damage to the road surface has been inflicted by wagons and other HGVs accessing the Forward Works site. The simple fact remains that Bridge Road is simply too narrow to cope with the influx of traffic and machinery that this development is generating.
“The levels of dust generated from the site are appalling. Local people have shown me photographs which illustrate the layers of dust on their windows, cars and driveways. This is impacting on people who suffer from asthma or other respiration difficulties. Some have even reported that they are unable to go outside over the summer.
“The bottom line is that this is a residential area and a highly unsuitable location for a concrete mixing plant.”
The committee rejected the application – despite their officers recommending it be approved because it had no harmful impact on nearby residents or the nearby Woolston Eyes nature reserve.one.
After the meeting, Mr Vobe said: “We are delighted by the decision taken this evening. This has been a long-running problem for people here in Woolston, and it is time to bring matters to a close.
“We will now be liaising with the council to ensure that firm and rigorous enforcement action is carried out.”