‘Noisy’ metal firm looking for permission
A scrap metal firm whose operations allegedly made neighbouring homes in Willenhall shake has received ‘no complaints’ in over a year.
Collier Metals is seeking retrospective planning permission from Walsall Council to remain on the former Magnet Builders Trade Centre on Rose Hill Industrial Estate.
It had moved on to the site in December 2020 without the necessary permission and a previous retrospective application was refused by the authority’s planning committee in October 2021 despite officers recommending refusal.
But the company is looking to secure a ‘change of use’ permission in order for it to continue at the premises, operating from 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Fridays and 8am to 1pm Saturdays.
In the application, representatives said there had been no complaints lodged against them with the authority since the committee hearing took place.
A nearby resident said: “They empty big metal containers into other bigger containers.
“So you have metal on metal which shakes the house once or twice a day. These are older houses which are not well soundproofed.”
The company, which employs two people, said there are a total of six deliveries and two collections made from the site in vans and pick-up trucks.
Agents D2 Panning Limited said: “The premises have continued to be used for the proposed use. What is apparent is that no complaints have been made in the 14 months since the application was refused planning permission.
“This provides a clear indication that the original assessment of the proposal by the planning officer was correct.
“A Freedom of Information request has revealed that there have been no objections regarding the proposed use or how it operates for over 22 months.
“The last complaint was received in February 2021. This clearly demonstrates that the use has operated without generating any complaints regarding noise etc.
“The premises have deliveries of scrap metal and these are stored and sorted into bins and then collected and taken off site for recycling.
“No industrial process is carried out on the application site. The majority of the operations take place within the building but some open storage in bins does occur. There is no industrial processing taking place.
“The site has been used for industrial purposes for many years. It is located within an established industrial area, surrounded by similar and compatible uses, see adjacent use for recycling plastic and paper.
“The noise assessment accompanying the planning application demonstrates that the site operations would not have an adverse impact on the amenity enjoyed by the surrounding properties.
“The nature of the existing use of the site accords with adopted policy that supports the use of the site for industrial use and the expansion of existing waste management operations.
“It would also not cause adverse impacts to the occupiers of the surrounding properties and it is therefore requested that planning permission be granted.”
A decision on the application is anticipated to be made by officers in March.
