Noise complaints halt 24-hour plan

A BUSINESS was refused permission to operate 24-hours a day because of noise complaints.

Pennine Systems Ltd submitted plans to operate its Crossley Estate depot on Walsh Street, Chadderton, 24-hours a day, Monday to Saturday.

Planning permission was first given to the change of use of the former council depot to a light engineering works in July, 1996, when hours of operation were restricted to 8am-4.40pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am-noon on Saturdays.

However, in February, 2001, the business was given permission to extend its hours of operation from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 5.30pm on Saturdays.

The firm now wants to operate 24-hours a day, claiming it had experienced an upturn in orders and needed the extra hours.

In its favour, agent for the applicant, Alan Chorlton, said: “The longer hours will not be detrimental to the residents as the pub near by would generate more noise.”

But Councillor John Hudson said elderly residents mostly occupied the two tower blocks at Stockfield Mount and Landsdowne Court near the firm, and were able to differentiate between noise coming from the firm and the neighbouring pub.

Councillors decided that the 24-hour operation would cause further noise disturbance and rejected the plan.