News

Complaints from local residents blocked one operator's application for the use of a site in Lenham Heath, but an application from another firm at the same site was accepted because there were no objections. South Eastern & Metropolitan Deputy Traffic Commissioner Chrsitopher Heaps refused an application by Subzero (2003) to base three vehicles at the site following representations from neighbours. At the same hearing, the DTC granted an application by Greaves Surveying and Engineering to base  four vehicles and two trailers at the site because there had been no environmental objections to that application.

The DTC was told that there was a cold storage building on the former Brake Bros site at Shepherds Farm, Rose Lane. The site could accommodate the vehicles requested, and that they could enter and leave in forward gear. Cook Trading stored frozen food at the site and employed Subzero to deliver them to at least 21 retail outlets. If the application was refused, Subzero's vehicles would continue to visit the site from its existing operating centre at Horsmonden. The Greaves vehicles had been visiting the site since June. Subject to the grant of retrospective planning permission, its vehicles would be kept at the site.

Refusing the Subzero application, the DTC said he was satisfied from his own site inspection and the evidence of the representors that the parking of HGVs at the site and their passage along Rose Lane would result in disturbance by noise, light  and vibration, and adversely affect the environment in the vicinity. In granting the Greaves application with a condition limiting the times of operation, the DTC said he regretted he could not refuse it since no objections or representations had been made.

In dealing with the case, the DTC accepted he had no control over vehicles visiting the site, adding that TCs believed that it was a loophole in the law.