Whittle expansion is approved
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• Whittle Movers has won an increase in the number of vehicles and trailers at its limber Bridge operating centre, near Preston, despite opposition from a resident.
The company had originally applied to add 14 vehicles and 12 trailers to the six vehicles and 14 trailers already authorised from the site in Charnley Fold Lane, but during the course of the hearing reduced its application to an additional four vehicles and trailers.
James Kerry, who lives in nearby Cottage Lane, complained about the sound of radios playing, abusive language, noise from vehicles in the early hours, and fumes preventing the enjoyment of his garden. He agreed he had complained to the drivers concerned, rather than to the company.
Managing director James Morris said he would take steps to ensure that radios were not played loudly and that abusive language was not used.
The vehicles covered the whole of Europe and usually left on a Sunday, not returning until Thursday or Friday, when they were parked up until Sunday. He had allowed two other operators with two vehicles to park on the site, who had previously parked on the road.
North Western Licensing Authority Martin Albu pointed out that those operators were committing an offence, as the Lane was not their declared operating centres.
For the company, Jonathan Lawton said that they had sympathy with the residents in Cottage Lane and they would accept a condition that vehicles would not be parked against the southern boundary.
Granting the increase, and imposing the condition, Aibu said there was no doubt that people living on Cottage Lane were suffering disturbance from the depot, which backed on to their gardens. However, six vehicles were already authorised and he could not find the site unsuitable for an additional four.