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Fireworks firm in beauty spot sparks neighbours' objedions

9th June 2005, Page 32
9th June 2005
Page 32
Page 32, 9th June 2005 — Fireworks firm in beauty spot sparks neighbours' objedions
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Keywords : Environment

LOCAL RESIDENTS have failed to block the granting of an 0-licence to a firework company based in an area of outstanding natural beauty in Ledbury. West Midlands Deputy Traffic Commissioner Lester Maddrell granted the licence to Firework Factors — but he limited the restricted licence to one 7.5-tonne vehicle and imposed environmental conditions.

MD Christopher Nicholls said the business had been run from Peg's Farm, Hollow Lane, Slaplow for 11 years using outside haulage. No maintenance or fuelling would be carried out at the site.

The company has another base at Aston Down. near Cirencester; the Western Traffic Area granted interim authority for its use last November. However. apart from three nights, the vehicle had been kept at Peg's Farm to save time in travelling to and from Aston Down. This was in contravention of the 0-licensing requirements.

The DTC heard that most of the time the company could run its business within the hours imposed by the planning consent: 8am-6pm Monday to Friday and 8am-1pm on Saturdays.

However, because of the seasonal nature of the business and the need to make early starts to avoid traffic congestion on long journeys and keep within the drivers' hours rules, it would be necessary for the vehicle to move outside those core hours up to 10 times a year. Overall, the cessation or reduction in the use of outside haulage would lead to a reduction in the number of vehicle movements in and out.

Granting the licence, the DTC said that the failure to park the vehicle at Aston Down was a serious breach of 0-licensing requirements and a copy of his decision would be sent to the Western Traffic Commissioner. But he considered that the environmental effects of the parking and movement of one vehicle on the residents were not so adverse as to justify the refusal of the application.

Summary

TOLERABLE LEVELS The DTC concluded that the impact on the residents could be reduced to tolerable levels by restricting the hours and days on which movement could take place and the frequency with which they occurred.


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