Squibb bid set for new decision (From Thurrock Gazette)

Squibb bid set for new decision

7:30am Thursday 17th January 2013 in News

A COUNCILLOR has slammed a report recommending the approval of a controversial demolition yard.

Squibb Group, which has been operating without the proper planning permission in Wharf Road, Stanford-le-Hope, has made a retrospective application to continue using its site as a demolition contractor’s yard and waste and recycling facility.

People living in the road have long been at loggerheads with the company, who they accuse of making noisy lorry movements, damaging the road, and speeding – all of which the company denies.

Recommendations in a planning officers’ report, which was due to be heard by Thurrock Council’s planning committee on Thursday night, include allowing HGVs to use Wharf Road from 6am in the morning, instead of 7am, and increasing the amount of lorry movements permitted to and from the site.

Conservative ward councillor Shane Hebb, and chairman of Stanford Forum, Terry Piccolo, have collected a petition signed by nearly 500 residents against the application.

In a joint statement, they branded the council’s report “disappointing” and added: “The 6am start is not in the public interest, especially when other sites all have planning consent from only 7am.

“Moving vehicles is a significant noise which resonates over long distances – people must be allowed to have their windows open in the summer months. It’s a basic human right.”

In July 2011, the committee voted to take enforcement action against Squibb after officers investigated the site, which is in the Stanhope Industrial Estate.

But the enforcement notice was quashed due to a technicality with its conditions.