Confusion reigns in 'shambles' case
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A BUILDERS' merchant has been refused permission CO expand his fleet following a public inquiry into his application for an operator's licence described as "a shambles" by astonished local reporters.
Fifty local residents arid Croydon Council turned up to oppose a renewal applica tion from Virgomist of Addiscombe to add five lorries to his existing licence for three vehicles.
The increase was refused, and hours of use of the operating centre were restricted by Deputy Licensing Authority Mr Bowyer. The firm's managing director, Thomas Dorbin, told CM he would be unable to add a fourth vehicle to the business which would have gone on the road almost immediately.
Pictures of Dorbin's lorries were all round the walls of the room in which the public inquiry was being held. One local reporter described the proceedings as being like BBC's "Blott on the Landscape".
There was a technical mixup over the name in which the licence application had been made; confusion over the number of lorries to be operated; doubt as to the accuracy of the notice of application; and uncertainty over whether or not copies of residents' letters of objection were received by the applicalits.