Express & Star

Concrete plant gets thumbs up as planners refute objectors’ concerns

A civil engineering firm’s bid to expand its Aldridge site and create more jobs can go ahead after planners gave the thumbs up to the proposal.

Published
Hills Contractors in Westgate, Aldridge. PIC: Google Street View

Members of Walsall Council’s planning committee unanimously rejected concerns raised by the Canal and River Trust that allowing Hills Contractors to install a new concrete batching plant in an industrial estate on Westgate would harm the waterway.

Boss Paul Hills said the new plant would represent a £500,000 investment that will help them create up to 20 new jobs.

Had the application been rejected, as planning officers had recommended, former Walsall councillor Mohammed Arif – who had made representations on behalf of the firm – said the company would have relocated to Stoke where a potential new site had been identified.

Ward councillor Tim Wilson had ‘called in’ the application to ensure it was debated by the committee.

The Canal and River Trust said the introduction of a tall silo would impact on the views and people’s enjoyment of the canal while there were concerns that dust and drainage could pollute the water.

But both Mr Hills and his agent Paul Clifton said the site was three metres below the tow-path level and added batching plants create very little noise or dust and that an interceptor collected drainage before it entered the canal.

Mr Clifton added the Trust had also previously cut back planting around the site which would have provided a screen to the new silo had it remained.

The company had also erected a silo three weeks ago and said the new one would be no bigger than that.

Committee member Paul Bott said: “I think people need a history lesson. The Black Country and its industry has been built on canals. This is creating employment and we should be welcoming this.

Councillor John Murray added: “I know this canal and area very well and believe me, this is not a canal you go to for recreational use. I just don’t buy the Canal and River Trust objections. The canal goes through the industrial estate.

Chairman Mike Bird said: “We don’t accept the canal and river trust’s objections to be valid in as much the site is three metres below the existing canal and it is unlikely there would be dust coming from it. This is an industrial site creating employment.”

After the meeting, Mr Hills said: “I am delighted that the planning committee understood that there would be no environmental impact on the canal and operationally the silos can’t be placed anywhere else.

“The decision tonight helps me to create additional jobs and investment in excess of £500,000.”

Mr Arif said: “I made a visit to the site and realised the Canal and Rivers Trust got this wrong and asked Councillor Wilson to meet the owner.

“We have to give credit to Councillor Wilson otherwise the operation would have moved to Stoke on Trent.”