By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to extend the delivery hours for HGVs near a new-build housing estate have been turned down by councillors.
They described proposals to increase hours of delivery and distribution to the business park at former RAF Newton as “wholly unacceptable”.
The site in Wellington Avenue has been largely demolished except for the former control tower and the larger hangars.
During a Rushcliffe Borough planning meeting, councillors raised strong concerns on behalf of residents at the site where 528 Redrow homes will be built.
Currently, deliveries of equipment to the hangars can only take place between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday and 9am and 1pm on Saturday, but not on Sundays and Bank Holidays
Applicant Simon Waterfield asked for hours to be extended, to between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am and 4pm on Saturdays, saying it would allow for “greater flexibility”.
Mr Waterfield also pointed out that Wellington Avenue is no longer the only access point into the site, following the opening of the nearby link road.
A noise assessment said the proposed increased hours of use “should have no, or a not significant, effect” on residents.
But Newton Parish Council argued the plans would increase “noise, dust and vehicle pollution, adversely affecting the health of children and pedestrians”.
It also objected on the grounds of safety, as the vehicles already “speed along this road and the situation would get much worse”.
Sarah Shaw of Newton Parish Council, told the meeting: “As you will be aware, 178 residents have objected, showing how strongly they feel about increasing operating hours.
“It is our belief that highway safety, traffic and parking issues, noise, dust and fumes all impact on the community.
“It is the view of our residents that the proposed extension to the operating hours represents a considerable risk to the safety of children living in Newton and the children of future residents.”
Councillor David Simms (Con), ward councillor for East Bridgford, added: “Each time a HGV runs, it is increased risk to children and residents in the area.
“Newton is constantly being bombarded with measures to get bigger.
“There are 178 objections to this and I would strongly advise that we think about the people of Rushcliffe and how business interacts with people.
“I would urge you to object to this and let the community of Newton have cohesion rather than 44-tonne lorries trundling through their village in extended hours.”
Councillor Neil Clarke (Con) said the plans were “wholly unacceptable”.
He said: “The main point here is that this is the main access road through a housing estate.
“My issue is that increasing the hours increases the potential danger to residents.
“I do have considerable concerns about this. I think it will be an unnecessary additional nuisance to the residents of Newton.”
Council officers had recommended the plans were approved, saying they “do not consider that permitting an extra hour in the morning and an extra hour in the evening of weekdays, and an extra four hours on Saturdays would have the significant impact required to refuse the application”.
However councillors on the planning committee voted, nine to one, to refuse the plans.
