Scrap firm fight lorry restrictions in Hitchin
A SCRAP metal firm is fighting restrictions which were imposed after a long battle by residents to limit the number of lorries passing their homes day and night. Williams and Sons, based in Wallace Way, Hitchin want to overturn two county council orders
A SCRAP metal firm is fighting restrictions which were imposed after a long battle by residents to limit the number of lorries passing their homes day and night.
Williams and Sons, based in Wallace Way, Hitchin want to overturn two county council orders made last year to cut the amount of waste processed at the site and to demolish buildings constructed without planning permission.
An appeal will be heard at an independent enquiry expected to last three days from March 16 at County Hall.
Herts County councillors ruled in June that the company must cut the number of HGVs to no more than 50 between 7am and 6pm during the week and no more than 25 on a Saturday between 8am and 1pm.
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Residents in the area had complained that up to 200 lorries have been on residential streets in any 24 hours.
Richard Acland of nearby Grove Road called on Hitchin residents to get behind the council's original decision. He said: "What's happened over the last five years is that small-scale activity has grown by stealth and without planning permission to become out of all proportion to the capacity of Hitchin's fragile road infrastructure. The result of this enquiry is not a foregone conclusion and the strength of public opinion will be an important factor."
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John Rice, director of Metal and Waste Recycling, which manages the Williams site refused to comment on the appeal.
If the enforcement orders are upheld the company will have 13 weeks to implement the changes.
Support for the restrictions can be made in writing to Iain Leech, Senior Planning Officer, Herts County Council, County Hall, Hertford SG13 8DE or by emailing iain.leech@hertscc.gov.uk
