Any planning process experts?

kuepper

My property bordered onto what was 10 years ago an old stable block that was used for some sort of storage. 2 years later it was converted into a surface engineering factory coating metal piping etc with chemicals with 50% of the 'factory' activities being conducted in the open air. The consequence was noise from extractors, clanking of metal, traffic movements, fork lift truck, music, shouting voices etc until 2 am plus fumes, particle deposits on car, garden etc. I was told the factory didn't need planning consent as it was a continuation of 'industrial use' and didn't increase the 'footprint' of existing buildings. I have complained to Environmental Health over the years but all they do is send warning letters and while there might be a temporary respite it soon starts up again.



Working hours have crept up to 24/7 which the planners say they can't do anything about because of the site's historical industrial use. Now an application to significantly expand the factory (nearer to my house) is being recommended for approval. I objected on the grounds this would intensify all the problems I've previously mentioned. The planning officer's report says the council can only consider the extension as an entity as far as planning law goes and can't consider how it might impact on the whole factory operation and use of the rest of the site. The officer's report also says as the extension will be more than 30m from my house it is not deemed (without giving any justification for reaching that conclusion) likely to affect me re noise and other emissions. Environmental Health also stated when consulted that noise nuisance would likely arise from the intensification of activities but the planning officer says in the report they could only impose any conditions on the extension not the whole site but doing so would be unenforceable.



Is it right that planners only consider an extension like this in isolation without considering the effect the building of the extension will have on the rest of the site and future operations?