Illegal operator is granted licence
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• A farmer who has been operating one or two vehicles without authority for most of the 25 years he has been farming has been granted a licence by North Eastern Deputy Licensing Authority Brian Horner, despite an objection from Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.
Keith Hickling had applied for a new three-vehicle restricted licence. The DLA was told that one of Hickling's two sons was sitting the CPC examination and had impressed upon his father that he must at all times operate within the law.
The council objected on the grounds that the access to Ilickling's farm was via a residential street which led to a track leading to the farm. The council was concerned about the density of the residential development through which the trucks had to pass.
Hickling said that his sons told him to apply for the licence as they wanted to abide by the law and he had decided to mend his ways.
Granting a licence, Horner said Hickling had been illegally operating and was fortunate that there had been no prosecutions.
However, it was an indication that the vehicles had been operated safely. though that did not excuse the circumstances, he said.
Indicating that he was prepared to give Hickling a chance to "wipe the slate clean", Horner said that the council's objection could not be sustained in the absence of any complaint from the residents.