PLANNING chiefs have turned down an application for a logistics company to carry out night-time deliveries at a Kidderminster industrial estate.

The application for a change in operating hours at a unit in Easter Park was refused by Wyre Forest District Council’s planning committee at their meeting on Tuesday, February 21 – despite planning officers recommending it should be given approval.

Councillors turned down the application amid concerns it could cause disruption for residents living near to the industrial estate, off Worcester Road, in Summerfield.

PGS Logistics want to open a parcel sorting facility at the unit – creating 40 new jobs and an investment of £1 million.

But, in order for the firm to operate, it requires a maximum of two night-time deliveries to allow parcels to be received, unloaded, sorted and ready to be loaded onto vans for same day delivery to local businesses and residential areas.

On Tuesday to Saturday, it was proposed two night-time deliveries would take place, the first between 1am and 2am and the second between 4am and 6am, while on Sunday and Monday there would be a single delivery between 4am and 6am.

Legal and General Property Partners had asked the committee for permission to change the restrictive hours condition for unit three in respect of night-time deliveries, to allow the logistics firm to occupy the unit.

But councillors were concerned about the impact and disturbance for residents living nearby.

Councillor Marcus Hart said: “The only safeguard local residents had were that were conditions and if we start chipping away and eroding those conditions – where will it all end.

“I am just fearful that if we approve this it will be the thin end of the wedge and all of those residents at the time who were fearful about this, who may just have been persuaded that this was for the greater good, if their amenity could be safeguarded.

“I move refusal on the grounds that there will be an adverse effect on the local community given the increase in noise by permission being granted for night-time deliveries.”

Councillor Fran Oborski added: “If this was the only unit there and they were applying for this variation then I would probably be wanting to go along with it.

“Once you open the tap on something, the water keeps flowing. I am worried about opening the floodgates to the rest of the units on the site.”

Residents had objected to the changes in the planning conditions and said night-time deliveries would affect their quality of life. Eight letters of objection had been received by the council from people living near to Easter Park who said they already suffer from noise during the night from reversing vehicles.

In a report to the committing, planning officers had said the application should be “viewed favourably” due to its location within the South Kidderminster Enterprise Park. They also stated the economic proposal will bring 40 jobs to the area and an investment of £1 million – resulting in a long-term commitment to the area.