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A Hebridean haulier must meet strict conditions before being granted a licence to operate from his island base after neighbours lodged objections. Calum Macmillan appeared before Scottish Traffic Commissioner Joan Aitken who laid down a series of conditions that must be fulfilled before a licence can be granted authorising the operation of three vehicles and three trailers at Bornish, South Uist. Objections had been received from four neighbours on environmental grounds. Macmillan was operating  two vehicles under interim authority on his agricultural and shellfish business.

The site was croft land on which Macmillan was building a house. The TC heard that the road leading from the public road was still under construction the site was untidy there was no hard standing and the only possible parking was a cut-out area. Macmillan said his family had been involved in crofting and fishing on Uist for a very long time. Having transport would allow the financial viability of both his shellfish and cattle enterprises. He added that the site was his home so he did not want any noise or pollution either.

The TC did not accept there would be any noise pollution from the proposed operation nor a problem with fumes given that the vehicles had to be properly maintained to meet Vosa annual test levels.

However, she was not satisfied about the site's suitability. She ordered that it be tidied and a hard-standing area, large enough to park three 18-tonners and trailers  and allow them to enter and leave in forward gear, constructed by the end of May. The TC also said photographic evidence would have to be supplied before a licence was granted, and that it would be subject to a maximum vehicle weight of 18 tonnes.

Impressive objections

The TC was sufficiently impressed by the environmental objections to delay issuing a licence until her conditions were met.