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Massive cuts to 0-licence after residents' complaints

3rd July 2003, Page 20
3rd July 2003
Page 20
Page 20, 3rd July 2003 — Massive cuts to 0-licence after residents' complaints
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Protests from local residents nave resulted in the licence neld by Sussex-based Thomas Transport being cut from 74 vehicles and 22 trailers to just five vehicles and five trailers.

In addition, the South Eastern and Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner Christopher Heaps is proposing to impose restrictive conditions on the licence and on those held by three other operators based at the same site.

Heaps was considering a licence application for one vehicle and one trailer by AJ Baker St, Son, to replace the one held by Philip Baker, based at the Old Brickworks in Northiam.

At the same time he was reviewing the licences based at the same site and held by Thomas Transport, Martin Mowl (trading as Tenterden Removals), and Michael Lewis (trading as Parkway).

Eleven operators are based at the site with a total authorisation for 106 vehicles and 42 trailers. The site contains a commercial garage for HGV repairs, and is also used for the storage of caravans and the parking of buses and coaches.

Baker's application was opposed by Rother District Council and 10 neighbouring residents. The TO was told that Thomas Transport was not currently operating any vehicles but wished to retain its licence as an asset. The Council considered the site to be inadequate in size for the number of vehicles and trailers authorised, given its other uses.

The residents also pointed out that the site was situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and was surrounded by resi

dential properties which suffered from noise, dust, vibration, light and general environmental pollution.

After visiting the site, the TO said he was far from convinced that it was of sufficient size to accommodate the garage, the caravan storage area, the bus parking area and all the vehicles.

As well as cutting Thomas' licence, he proposed imposing conditions on all four licences restricting the hours of operation, with no movements on Sundays or bank holidays.


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