Operator wins
Page 7
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A TYNESIDE operator who has been using the same site as an operating base for 30 years has been allowed to carry on, despite objections from two local authorities.
0. W. Rawes Ltd of Whitley Bay told Northern Deputy Licensing Authority Charles Kelly that, though councils claimed that it did not have planning permission to park at Frankland Mount, Monkseaton, there was an established use since the 1950s.
Tyne and Wear County Council and North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council had opposed Rawes' application to add three new vehicles to be acquired to a standard licence for one vehicle.
A vehicle examiner had expressed concern about the lack of undercover maintenance facilities but Richard Rawes director said the main problem was the lack of an inspection pit. The company had never been convicted of bad maintenance, overloading or in connection with keeping records. Until recently there had been authority for four vehicles with two vehicles and a van regularly operated. When seeking renewal, application had erroneously been made for the one specified vehicle. Mr Rawes said he did not propose to apply for planning permission because of the established use.
For the County Council, D. Whickham said the area was now zoned as residential and the roads were unsuitable for heavy vehicles. The company's vehicles needed to use a street to get access which involved going over a footpath, and planning permission was unlikely to be granted.
Claiming that as the vehicles reversed in there was no difficulty in access, Mr Rawes said the residential building had all taken place since he bought the depot.
The Deputy LA ruled that as the site was established as suitable for use by vehicles, the application would be granted.