Residents’ petition over industrial unit plans near to park

Uncategorised • 9th June 2014

Angry residents in Monkspath are petitioning against plans for an industrial manufacturing unit, located near homes and a popular borough park.

An application was submitted to turn one of the units in Monkspath Business Park into a distribution and manufacture plant for V Installations Mechanical Handling Limited.

But locals are worried the plans will create a “noisy eyesore” which will impact on both the award-winning Hillfield Park as well as their own quality of life.

Lakeside Drive resident Rachel Bowen said: “The noise will be horrendous.

“We bought this house twelve years ago because of the lovely area and view of the lake. But this industrial, metal, ugly eyesore is having a massive impact on residents and the people who enjoy Hillfield Park.

“Such buildings are only serving to cause anguish and upset to the local residents who are concerned not only by the visual impact of these buildings but also the potential impact upon the environment and upon noise pollution and the impact this will have on our quality of life.”

Another resident Terry Prince added: “The traffic analysis carried out states that the increase in traffic at the A34 junction will be minimal, however the size of the lorries concerned with this operation will not only create serious traffic problems but increase the air pollution in the area with their discharges.”

The applicants claim a noise assessment found the manufacturing and distributing plant would have a “negligible” impact on noise in the area during the day and only a “slight impact” at night.

Councillor Ken Hawkins (Blythe, Con) has pledged to support residents of Lakeside Drive and Thornton Road and will present their petition to Solihull Council.

“I am very concerned about the type of development in Highlands Road, which has for a long time been designated for commercial use,” he said.

“We should not allow noisy industrial manufacturing so close to housing and adjoining the green flag Hillfield Local Nature Reserve.”