By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Stone-crushing company Allstone’s plans to permanently use its Gloucester site have been rejected amid serious concerns air pollution is causing breathing problems for residents.
The firm’s retrospective plans for the continued and permanent use of the land at Myers Road were considered by Gloucestershire County Council today (January 29)
The company has been using the site to produce aggregates and has a processing and wash plant, two weighbridges and an office on site.
The plans debated by councillors today also included keeping the associated engineering operations to improve access, concrete aggregate storage bays/covers and building new aggregate storage bays.
However, officers recommended that the planning committee should refuse permission as the benefits of the scheme were outweighed by its negative aspects.
They raised concerns that the scheme conflicts with planning policies due to its visual impact and the impact on transport, landscape and amenity protection. The site’s cumulative impact is also a concern.
Dozens of people have complained over the issue and some say the dust gets so bad they can’t open their windows
An objector spoke at the meeing of the impact the noise, traffic and air pollution is having on residents.
“Imagine that for ten hours a day, six days a week,” she said.
“Due to applying for this retrospectively, we don’t have to imagine the effects.”
She also questioned whether they had looked for alternative sites as they claimed.
“Where? Has anyone actually proved this?
“I cannot believe there is nowhere more suitable than next to two housing estates.”
She also said no dust or noise plan would be robust enough to comprehensively mitigate the harmful effects.
“This company, as we all know, is not compliant.
“They have regularly breached their conditions, have carried out things without permission.
“If you believe that for this application, they will be compliant, you are naive and place us in a vulnerable position.”
Simon Ford, Allstone CEO, called for the committee to defer making a decision on the company’s plans for the aggregate recycling facility.
He claimed that they have requested on numerous occasions a short extension of time to resolve potential outstanding matters.
“We are disappointed that certain aspects of the current submission may not have given officers and consultees the full confidence they need,” he said.
“Issues relating to noise, traffic movements, and air quality are all matters that we take extremely seriously.
“Where information has been considered insufficient or unclear, we are ready to address these promptly and comprehensively.”
He also said Allstone and its supply chain employs more than 200 people.
Councillor Anne Radley (LD), who represents Elmbridge at Gloucester City Coucil, spoke against the plans.
“The site as it already is causes noise, dust, traffic and these are things that are reported and documented over years,” she said.
She said some residents have been reporting issues around the site for 20 years.
“Residents are already feeling it. And you will see from the comments, because you will have all read the views that residents have put forward.
“The one that broke my heart was a family that was saying that they’ve moved to the area.
“Their little one had no problems with their breathing, no problems at all.
“They moved into Swallow Park and suddenly their little one has got problems with breathing that they’ve never had before.
“I hear these things again and again, dust in people’s houses.”
And County Councillor for the area Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) said he had no objections to the business itself but its location.
“It’s trying to squeeze in a really big industrial operation in a community surrounded by houses,” he said.
He said he has heard complaints from residents about noise and dust and seen the dust on window sills and cars in the nearby estate.
“We’ve given them so far, nine and a half years’ permission,” he said.
“They have been operating for 15 years on this site. Every time there is an application, they are operating too late and they don’t comply with the original permission.
“Once they finish their permission they should clear the site and return it to as it was before.”
He said he was sure they could find somewhere else in Gloucestershire which is more suitable for stone crushing.
Councillors voted unanimously to reject the proposal.