Colchester Skip Hire loses appeal over lorry journeys

Colchester Skip Hire was given permission for the waste management facility in Wormingford at appeal in 2012.

In 2021 it applied to vary one of its planning conditions which limits how many HGVs can leave the site each morning.

The rules mean no more than six vehicles can leave between 6am and 7am and up to a further six between 7am and 7.30am Monday to Saturday, with no HGV movements on Sundays.

Colchester Skip Hire wanted to increase this to six between 5.30am and 6am, ten between 6am and 7am and ten between 7am and 7.30am on Monday to Saturdays.

It could have meant an additional 14 vehicles using the site each morning.

Essex County Council refused the plan but the firm took the decision to appeal.

Now a planning inspector has ruled against the firm and thrown out the appeal saying it would cause “unacceptable harm” to nearby residents.

They described the bid as causing “significant harm” to residents living conditions.

The firm had argued the early starts were needed to allow for more waste to be recycled and reducing emissions.

But the report said: “Loud noises can cause significant disturbance even if of short duration that would not significantly affect an average sound level.

“This is particularly true at night, when generally sound levels are low and people are asleep.

“Submissions from residents attest to ongoing disturbance from operations at the site and as a result of HGV movements from it.

“These submissions include awareness among residents of operations at the site from 5am, indicating that residents would be aware of the earlier operating time for which permission is sought.”

The inspector found revised lighting plans would not have created an issue. The site in Packards Lane proved controversial when it was given the green light a decade ago.

The original proposal led residents to set up campaign group Residents Against Skip Hire (Rash) to fight it.