Concerns over stone crushing site plan

Dozens of people are opposing plans for a Gloucester stone crushing site because the dust is so bad they cannot open their windows as it affects their health.

Allstone wants permission to use the land for the crushing and screening of inert waste materials to produce secondary aggregates at their sand and gravel centre in Myers Road.

Their proposals for the site, which is next to the railway line and not far from Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, include retaining the concrete storage bays and covers and building new bays.

The plans have been submitted to Gloucestershire County Council and if approved, the opening hours for the site will be from 7.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday and from 7.30am until 1pm on Saturdays.

However more than 30 people have objected to the scheme over the impact the site is having on neighbouring properties.

Shahed Tandel says the dust and sand coming from the site has affected the health of his four-year-old son.

He said: “Due to the dust he has had a cough for months. We’ve had to get him seen by the GP numerous times and he was also seen by a hospital paediatrician. Therefore, It is clearly a health hazard.

“Due to the accumulation of dust on the windows we are unable to open all our windows around the home. We are also unable to put any washing to dry outside in the garden due to the dust particles.”

Kevin Pugh, who has lived nearby for more than 30 years, says the site is too small for expansion and it should not be made permanent.

He said: “The noise, dust and traffic is not suitable for such a small site.

“My wife is asthmatic and the dust in and around our home is shocking. The site is also very close to the hospital too, so definitely not a good idea.

“The volume of lorries now is an accident waiting to happen along Horton rd where there is also a school.”

Robert Sherlock, another objector, said the area already suffers from serious problems with dust and noise.

It is so bad that windows have to be kept closed during warm weather and garden furniture has a constant layer of dust, he said.

“If viewed from Horton Road railway crossing, a thick cloud of dust can be seen from the spoil heaps over swallow park, allowing this to increase will also increase health problems,” he said.

Gloucestershire County Councillor Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) has objected to the proposals and called for it to be considered by the planning committee.

He says he wants the scheme to be rejected because of the noise and dust nuisance, it will have an impact on future housing and it constitutes a highway hazard.

“Granting permission for permanent use of this site is unacceptable. By stealth, the applicant will have obtained planning permission for intensified stone crushing on a permanent basis, if the county council were to approve it, which in 2011 would have been refused,” he said.

Gloucestershire County Council is expected to consider the proposals by December 12. Allstone has been approached for comment.

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk