Licence restricted
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A NORTHAMPTON haulier which moved to a new operating centre in an industrial area has had restrictive conditions placed on its licence by the Eastern Deputy Licensing Authority, Humphrey Lewis, following representations from local residents.
The company, Henry King and Son, holds a licence for five vehicles and two trailers and had applied to change its operating centre from Junction Road to Unit G, Barker Buildings, Countess Road. Four residents of Countess Road made representations about the application.
Anthony King, a director, said that the vehicles were engaged in the carriage of fruit and vegetables. They carried high value loads and it had been necessary to obtain premises where they could be locked in a secure place. The company had leased warehouse premises in Countess Road and had obtained planning permission from the Borough Council.
Questioned on behalf of the residents, Mr King accepted that it was unreasonable for heavy vehicles to pass within six or seven feet of the front of houses at 5am.
But he said a condition restricting the use of the operating centre to between aam and 6pm would mean that the company would be unable to operate. It had to deliver goods to the London markets by 8.30am.
The residents said they were already suffering as a result of the operation of vehicles from premises in the area belonging to C. Butt of Northampton and William Oliver Removals.
They feared increased use of Countess Road by heavy vehicles if the application was granted saying it was not reasonable that hauliers should be allowed to disturb them early in the morning.
Ian Rothera, for the company, said that the area concerned was largely industrial and the residents of Countess Road must have been aware of its nature when they purchased their houses. Many haulage operations required an earlier start than 5am.
Mr Lewis said the problem stemmed from Countess Road being surrounded by an industrial area. He could understand the strong feelings of the residents about the further reduction in their quality of life through yet more heavy lorries thundering along Countess Road adding to the hazards and the unpleasantness. It was not an ideal situation but he was not a planning authority and the planners had decided to allow the situation to continue.
The residents could not really expect him to say to the company that it could not use premises for which it had obtained planning permission. However, he accepted that 5am was too early for the residents to be disturbed, but on the other hand the company had to be allowed to run its business.
Granting the application, Mr Lewis imposed conditions that there be no movement of any authorised vehicle or trailer on any Sunday or public holiday or before Sam or after 8pm except in emergencies. He warned that should vehicles be operated in defiance of those conditions, the Licensing Authority could refuse to allow the premises to be used.