Julian Calls For Hessay Asphalt Plant to be Blocked
July 7, 2017
Julian has joined with local residents and ward councillors calling for a proposed asphalt plant in Hessay to be refused planning permission.
He has been working alongside ward councillor Chris Steward for many weeks on exploring the concerns raised by application.
It is estimated that the asphalt plant would generate an additional 176 daily vehicle movements, including 90 HGVs, on New Road which is already congested and very narrow. In his objection Mr Sturdy raised concerns about the safety of the junction onto the A59, the entrance to the industrial estate, and the risk of traffic backing up over the level crossing.
Julian also wrote to Network Rail, who had not been consulted on the proposals, and have subsequently requested a number of conditions should the application be approved.
The Council’s Highways team stated that they would recommend refusal of the application in its current form because of its impact on the transport network, although planning officers have since confirmed that they are in an ‘on-going dialogue’ with the applicant about possible mitigation measures. As a result the application have been deferred from the July Planning Committee meeting until either August or September.
The plans have also been objected to by Hessay Parish Council and the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).
Commenting Julian said, “If this proposal goes ahead it would have a terrible impact on the local transport network which would be very detrimental to Hessay residents but also everyone using the A59. The exit to the industrial estate is also a great concern as HGVs already regularly cross the road’s central line into oncoming traffic.
“The safety risk at the A59 junction, which Council officers say “clearly increases the potential risk of direct vehicular conflict”, along with narrowness of New Road, where large vehicles already have to mount the footway to pass each other, is very concerning to me. I will be scrutinising any further information submitted by the applicant, although I feel the sheer volume of vehicles won’t be able to be successfully mitigated against.”
Commenting Cllr Chris Steward said, “I have been told of numerous problems with the existing traffic around what is a small rural visit without more of the huge vehicles this would bring. However I also share residents’ concerns about the smell and noise implications and the Greenbelt aspect – parts of the plant would be too high and would therefore not be appropriate development in the Greenbelt. The applicant seems to have found a site that would work for them without any thought of the practicalities for others or indeed ultimately for themselves if accidents were caused’.
