An application to allow HGVs to enter the Hambleton Grove Industrial Estate in Knaresborough from 7am, six days a week, has been submitted to Harrogate Borough Council.
However, objections have been raised by the council’s environmental health department due to the “bang and crashes” associated with the movement of goods.
Currently, HGVs can enter the industrial estate through the residential street Hambleton Grove from 8am.
Planning documents submitted by the builder’s merchants Myers Group, which uses the site, said it needs to start earlier in the morning as construction companies require early morning deliveries to ensure materials are available for the day ahead.
Mark Lee, environmental health officer at HBC, submitted a letter of objection to the proposal due to the noise implications. He also said the application has not been supported by a report that assesses its likely noise impact.
He wrote:
“Whilst the reason given to extend their hours is for the loading and dispatch of one dispatch vehicle this will result in six early mornings a week when forklift trucks will be in use and the associated engine noise, alarms, bang and crashes associated with the external movement of goods.”
Residents in Knaresborough have already launched a campaign to stop HGVs from using the industrial estate.
Stephen Mckenzie, who lives on Hambleton Grove, told the Stray Ferret:
“People in the neighbourhood are deeply concerned by this attempt to subvert the original planning conditions.
“Residents applaud the response of Environmental Health and hope Highways and then Planning have the same courage of conviction.“It is time planning and local representatives actually represented the rate payers of Knaresborough.”
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In documents, planning consultant Jay Everitt wrote on behalf of Myers Group that the variation “will have no impact” on nearby residents.
He wrote:
“The variation sought will only allow for the loading and departure of a single wagon which will not return to the site before 8am.
“The loading of the wagon takes place with a fork-lift truck which is fitted with white noise reverse alarms and the loading activity is not audible from Hambleton Grove.”
The Stray Ferret asked Myers Group for a response but we did not receive one at the time of publication.
