Fight launched over Walsall firm's expansion
A campaign has been launched against proposals to expand a firm in Walsall amid fears it will lead to an increase in the number of lorries rumbling past their homes.
Exol Lubricants Ltd in All Saints Road, Darlaston, has applied to move to a new building as part of expansion plans that bosses say will safeguard jobs and create new positions.
It also includes a new access road further up the residential street and the revised plans come after a similar scheme was granted planning permission in 2008.
However, residents are opposing the new application to Walsall Council amid concerns over extra noise and disturbance near their homes and more lorries outside their homes. Walsall South MP Valerie Vaz has submitted letters and objections on behalf of residents in All Saints Road to the council.
There has also been a petition with 37 names submitted and another 14 letters of objections to the scheme.
Mother-of-four Merjhan Begum, aged 32, said: "There are children who play outside and it won't be safe.
"The lorries will be coming past my house late at night."
Vikesh Patel, 39, who lives near to where the new access road will be, said: "There will be too much noise and a lot more wagons coming past our homes. The application states it would increase deliveries to the site from 12 vehicles to 16 and the new access would allow for a one-way system to be created.
The scheme will also safeguard the future of 66 jobs and create three more, along with retaining three part-time roles.
Removal
Exol Lubricants spokeswoman Emma Farrelly said: "A new entrance in the proposed position has been previously approved by the planning authority, together with the complete removal of the unsuitable buildings, which would leave an open yard for storage and handling of materials including steel drums, storage containers.
"The new proposals, however, enclose these activities within a new building, providing significant improvement for nearby residents over the previous proposals, which still have the benefit of planning permission, by containing these activities inside the buildings.
"The new buildings also provide a greater shielding of the site both visually and in terms of noise than the previous proposals."
Despite the objections members of the planning committee are being recommended to grant approval to the application when they meet tonight.
