Cranleigh wins O-licence bid despite resident objections

Cranleigh Freight Services has won its O-licence renewal application for its site at Dunsfold Park, Surrey, despite local residents telling a public inquiry (PI) that noise coming from the firm's trucks has "totally blighted" their lives.

At the PI in Eastbourne, East Sussex, held because of an official objection from Surrey County Council (CM 27 January), Deputy Traffic Commissioner (DTC) John Baker said the haulier could continue with its current authorisation for 70 vehicles and 70 trailers at the Surrey business park.

However, the DTC attached conditions to the licence including:

- Vehicle movements limited to 20 between 3pm and 11pm on Saturdays;

- 40 vehicle movements on Sundays and Bank Holidays;

- 10 vehicle movements each night between 11pm and 6am.

At the hearing, David Wells, joint MD at Cranleigh Freight, told the DTC that forcing the company's Dunsfold Park facility to close at weekends and bank holidays could place its future "in severe jeopardy".

He added: "We carry out important jobs for customers at weekends and need to have some type of movement on Saturday and Sunday to protect the business."

Tim Grattan, who lives close to the site, said he and his wife had difficulty sleeping due to Cranleigh vehicles driving past their house at night: "It's difficult to do anything with these monsters thundering past, it's a total blight on our lives."

Caroline Smith, Surrey County Council transport planning development manager, said residents could accept noise from HGVs during weekdays, but not at weekends and on public holidays: "The company has a huge impact on local residents who feel intimidated by HGVs."

After issuing the decision, the DTC concluded: "It is important in cases like this to balance the legitimate commercial interests of companies with the environmental effects on residents."