Large West Midland 'Battle' is Off
Page 44
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE expected hearing of the Granary Haulage application, which was due to be heard at Birmingham at the end of this month, will not now take place. The applicant, I understand, has sought counsel's opinion and is now reconsidering the whole question.
As I mentioned in these columns. on November 23, Granary Haulage's bid to have 12 vehicles, currently operating under 13 licence, authorized in a new A licence to carry grain, etc., for nine associated companies met with serious objection when it originally came on for hearing at the beginning of November. At that time, after some preliminary arguments against the case being continued when the applicants had asked to amend the normal user, the West Midland Authority, Mr. I. Else, adjourned the matter for republication of the extra facilities required (the company wished to add to the list of customers, plus the words " and return loads as required ").
I am told that further objections have, since then, been received, and the application looked at one time as if it would' develop into a full-scale licensing 'battle ". But the objectors have now decided that the application presented such a serious threat as to merit the briefing of counsel.
The two days set aside for the hearing will not now be needed, because the application is to lie dormant until Granary Haulage has decided whether to go on or not. In coming to a decision, the company will no doubt take into account the recent Tribunal judgment in the East Midland appeal by N. I. Clark of Wellingborough (which was summarized in "Licensing Casebook" on December 28), wherein the Tribunal ruled that normally the appropriate licence for a haulier who does not desire to carry goods for or in connection with a trade or business carried op by him is an A licence—a decision that some people fear 'has opened the licensing " front door" wide.