davieG Posted 23 July 2012 Posted 23 July 2012 Merc A company is objecting to a plan to build dozens of homes next to its factory because of fears the new residents would be irritated by industrial noise. Planners at Leicester City Council have recommended that Barratt Homes' plan to build 55 houses and four flats next to mirror manufacturer Mawby & King Ltd, in Upperton Road, Leicester, be approved. ​ But the owners of the factory, which has been there for more than 50 years, say that if the development goes ahead there will be "inevitable complaints" from the new occupants. In a letter to council planners, Mawby & King solicitors Gately LLP said the activities of the factory – which include glass being tipped into skips at night – would have an "adverse impact" on the lives of future residents. The factory, which is the only independent mirror manufacturer in the UK and employs 100 people, operates 24 hours a day. "Night workers load and unload at least five, 40-tonne articulated vehicles and five lorries each day, with additional vehicles at busy times," it said. "The night shift also remove cullet – waste glass – produced during the processing by tipping it into outside skips and hoppers and using fork lift trucks. This is a very noisy operation. "We consider that allowing residential development in such close proximity to our client's existing factory would not only constrain its existing operations but also stymie its future expansion plans due to inevitable complaints about noise from residents." The homes would be built on land currently used as a car park and sales office for Barratt Homes. It would be a continuation of the Freemens Meadow complex which has been built by the company off nearby Watkin Road since 2003. Chris May, the agent working on behalf of Barratt Homes, said the company had amended plans to address Mawby & King's concerns. He said "acoustic glazing" – noise-limiting windows – would be installed in homes, and mechanical ventilation had been included, to limit the need to open windows. Mr May said: "Barratt Homes will continue to listen to the people concerned and try to work with residents and neighbours throughout the remainder of the site coming forward." In a report to the council's planning committee recommending the development, a planning officer said: "Issues relating to noise and the relationship with the adjacent factory have been satisfactorily addressed." He asked that Barratt Homes be made to pledge that some of the homes would be low cost, and make a contribution of £68,700 to the council to create green space in the area. A final decision will be made at a meeting on Wednesday.
danny. Posted 23 July 2012 Posted 23 July 2012 There are already loads of houses near it on Watkin Road, to the right of (and just out of) that picture, which were built about 2 years ago. I live in one of them and the noise isn't too bad, but you can hear loading at night, the broken glass emptying is about once every 1-2 months for about 30-60 mins so not too bad, having said that I'm about 50-60m away. If you were 10m away, where it looks like they want to build, I imagine the noise would be unbearable. We also have the 'acoustic glazing/vents' installed by Barratt to cut down on noise, and they do absolutely nothing! No different to any other window. Although knowing Barratt they probably installed the wrong thing.
Rincewind Posted 23 July 2012 Posted 23 July 2012 Could they not build a sound proof wall around the factory if they are worried? They seem a well established company and doing OK.
indierich06 Posted 23 July 2012 Posted 23 July 2012 Could they not build a sound proof wall around the factory if they are worried? They seem a well established company and doing OK. Why should they go to the expense of doing that? Seems to me that all they're doing is covering their backs - 'if you build the houses and people complain about the noise, don't come crying to us.'
Rincewind Posted 23 July 2012 Posted 23 July 2012 I didn't mean they pay for it all. Anyway there should be some sort of clause in the agreement when buying a house in this situation. If Barrets do not mention the noise to potential buyers won't they be at fault for mis-leading? If it is in the contract the buyers will have to decide if they can cope with it. It would be different if a factory was built after the houses. But saying that I would not want to live in the closest house.
MooseBreath Posted 23 July 2012 Posted 23 July 2012 Looks more like they're trying to protect their ability to expand. They probably won't get planning for themselves if these houses are built and they are looking to build an extension. Plus blocking planning will reduce the land value nicely so they might be planning on buying it for themselves to expand into. All and all its just a party to a planning application looking after themselves, not really sure where the twist is.
Rincewind Posted 23 July 2012 Posted 23 July 2012 I was thinking alongthe same lines. They have been there over 50 years and doing quite well. If they have done limited alterations the will need improvements. An extension will enable them to make improvements. Whether it is the right time to expand would depend on their order book now and the potential future. I doubt they'd want to re-locate. They may also be happy as they are.
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