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David goes to war... again
THE FUTURE of David Bennett's Midlands haulage firm is being threatened for the second time this year by his local council.
About two months ago he successfully won a fight to keep his operator's licence despite objections by North Warwickshire Borough Council on the grounds that his premises were "unsuitable".
Now his Atherstone-based business is being threatened again With Closure and with it, the jobs of 15 men.
For the council has issued an enforcement notice on the grounds of "unauthorised use of land for haulage purposes." And for the second time this year, 30 year old Mr Bennett is to fight the council at a public enquiry on September 27. Mr Bennett, who opened his Coleshill Road premises in April, is confident of tht outcome.
"It looks as though the) having two bites of the cherr3 to close us down. They failec with the operators licenct issue and now they are tryini to get us with this.
"We are taking legal advict and are fairly confident of tht outcome.
"These premises have bee/ used for haulage purpose: since 1935 and all we are doim is operating within the certifi ed use of the premises, whicl is a classed 10 for wholesal, warehousing with vehicl, parking."
Mr Bennett began his hau lage business five years ago i] nearby Nuneaton and, befor moving to his present addres six miles up the A5, had thre different premises.
He runs several lorries by the bulk of his business i concentrated on trailers usin owner drivers to carry an thing from food to furnitun Most of Mr Bennett's trad goes to the continent.
North Warwickshire Bc rough Council chief executiv Raymond Kealy denied th council was "gunning" for N. Bennett.
"If he choses to operat without planning permissioi he must expect the council t take whatever steps it seen' fit to remedy the situation.
"It is not a question gunning for him. We wou! deal similarly with anyone eh who did not have plannir permission."