Plans for motorbike unit near Brimfield refused

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Wednesday, 1 September 2021 21:27

By Gavin McEwan - Local Democracy Reporter

A bid to have part of a farm building near Brimfield converted to a motorcycle tyre fitting unit and scaffolding store was narrowly refused today due to the noise and traffic it could generate.

This was despite Herefordshire Council planning officers recommending approving the proposal, which had been amended to address concerns previously raised by the planning committee.

The decision had been held over from June to allow the applicant, Thomas Parry of Ashford Carbonel, to provide details of the air compressor for inflating the tyres, and the sound insulation to be used in the extension which would house it.

However, summing up members’ remaining objections, Coun John Stone (Con), in whose Leominster North & Rural ward the property lies, said surrounding properties would still be affected by noise and extra traffic resulting from the change of use.

“There is no evidence of support for this application, which if approved could open the door to other light industrial development on this site,” he added.

The application had earlier drawn 37 letters of objection from 21 households, backed by Brimfield & Little Hereford Group Parish Council, which pointed out access to the site, by the Grade II-listed Woofferton Grange, “would be off an already dangerous junction from the A49 (at) Salwey Arms”.

But a statement provided by council officials said the compressor, the sole source of noise, would be insulated and screened from the closest residential properties, and would only be used “for a very short period”.

“Any increase in road traffic noise will be marginal, will not cause nuisance and not cause significant adverse impacts,” their statement added.

Councillors on the committee voted 7-6 to refuse the application.