CONTROVERSIAL plans for a storage and service yard once rejected because of fears over noise and visual impact on nearby homes are back on the table.

A revised planning application has been lodged for the proposed Eagle Plant development at land to the rear of Kirkham’s Garage, West End, Oswaldtwistle, after a previous application was thrown out by members of Hyndburn Council’s planning committee.

Residents from nearby Buttermere Drive objected to the plan, claiming it would affect their quality of life as well as impacting the value and saleability of their homes.

The majority of the site would have been used for storage containers hired out to construction companies while there would also have been a permanent cabin for welfare/office facilities and a permanent container for storage.

The applicants say the site layout has been completely revised, in order to address the impact of both visual and noise amenity.

And operational hours on site would be from 8am to 6pm Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and 9am to 1pm on Sundays and bank holidays. Deliveries and HGV movements would be limited to between 7am and 1pm.

A design and access statement submitted as part of the revised application adds: “In respect of the forklift, which appears to be the principal noise emitter; the position of the static containers along the Western site boundary, along with office/welfare facilities and storage facility ensures that forklift operation and movement is restricted close to the adjacent properties/site boundary, further reducing the impact of noise upon local residents.

“Restricting the operational time of the forklift within the proposed site opening hours would prove difficult for the applicant. “However, if the local planning authority feels additional noise mitigation measures are required alongside what the applicant is proposing, restricted forklift operating hours will be accepted as part of a condition of approval.”

Residents’ representative Brian Adams told committee members at the last hearing: “We feel it is far too close to our properties. Noise levels are expected to be substantial. Just because the proposal is deemed acceptable in planning terms does not make it right. If this was in the same proximity to your property as it is to ours, would you allow it?”

Paul Kynaston, of Eagle Plant, said four people would be initially employed at the site with the possibility of an extra two members of staff being taken on. He said the firm would work with residents to limit the impact in terms of noise, light and visual impact.