Yahoo News Light industry and storage use allowed at farm near Ulceby despite HGV concern
Conversion of redundant farm buildings near Ulceby into light industry and storage has been approved - but after significant HGV concerns were raised.
Ulceby Road Safety Group had objected to the change of use proposed by Brocklesby Estate to Ryehill Farm, located close to Ulceby Skitter. It lies within Ulceby's 7.5 tonne HGV ban zone, so the prospect of reopening again regular HGVs going through the village was a major concern.
The safety group were unsuccessful in getting the application refused. But member Stuart Smith believes conditions placed, including a ban on site HGVs going through the village, would not have happened without the group.
"If we hadn't have gone and given a speech, then none of these conditions would have been put in," said Mr Smith. He said neither the safety group and Ferry Ward Cllr Richard Hannigan wanted it to happen. The fear was by allowing one, more such light industry and HGV-dependent storage facilities would be enticed into the area.
Mr Smith expressed disappointment that none of the planning committee had visited the site. And he asserted council planning had not realised it was within the weight limit area until days before, after it was flagged.
At the North Lincolnshire council planning meeting, he called the proposal "totally inappropriate to be located at the edge of Ulceby village", and suggested it had potential for up to 192 vehicle movements a day. "This will cause major safety implications within the village and undo all good work of highways, the council, police and community groups."
"If the planning committee is truly committed to the safety of the residents of Ulceby, then you will refuse this planning application on highways safety grounds as well."
Chartered surveyor Greg White said HGVs could physically access the farm buildings without entering the village. And he expressed willingness for a condition to stop HGVs from going through Ulceby. "This area has seen growth in the market for storage opportunities, with a distinct lack of supply fuelling this growth," an application document for the change of use states.
Cllr Hannigan thanked Mr Smith for his "untiring work in trying to promote not only the safety of Ulceby but also the entire Ferry Ward". The weight limit had been "extremely successful" in improving Ulceby and Ferry Ward quality of life.
The prospect of HGVs going through Ulceby again was "highly undesirable" and he proposed conditional access for them to the farm only via Habrough Roundabout direction. He also asked for Ulceby's 30mph speed limit to be slightly extended to the site's entrance. The outcome sought was what would protect Ulceby from HGVs, "having spent all that money on the zone".
Cllr David Wells proposed all commercial traffic, no matter the weight limit, to only exit the site via the A1077 to Habrough Roundabout, as well as signs on the private road instructing drivers.
Other councillors like Cllr Max Bell balked at this impacting cars or small vans. Eventually, the change of use was approved, with conditions on extending the 30mph speed limit and no HGVs visiting the site to go through Ulceby.
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Mr Smith has questioned who will police the future conditions and what will happen with any breaches. Mr White did state in the meeting Brocklesby Estate was "a landlord that would be willing to enforce any breach of the lease agreement via the HGV weight limit being ignored going through Ulceby". Cllr Hannigan also had confidence the estate would have integrity and enforce the lease it proposes.
