Express & Star

Pollution fears over Aldridge concrete plant

A civil engineering company's bid to expand its Aldridge operation with a new concrete plant could be scuppered by planners.

Published
Hills Contractors

Hills Contractors, based on Westgate, want to introduce a concrete batching plant which bosses say will help create up to 20 new jobs at the firm.

But Inland Waterways and the Canal and River Trust have objected because of concerns the impact pollution would have on Daw End Branch Canal which runs near the site.

They also object to the negative effect the 10.9 metre high structure would have on the visual appearance of the canal area.

Planning officers have recommended refusal but ward councillor Tim Wilson has ‘called-in’ the application which means it will now be discussed at the committee tomorrow.

It was suggested to the company that the proposed plant be moved to within the site but bosses have rejected that suggestion.

Agent Paul Clifton said: “From an operational point of view the batching plant situated alongside the existing aggregate bunkers is the best possible location, the aggregate will be transported to the hoppers via tipper tractors so the shortest distance is desirable to both reduce emissions and excess use of fuel.

“The suggestion that the plant is moved into the site and provided with landscape screening is totally ridiculous, the area is totally industrial and the vistas from anywhere in the area are of industrial buildings and premises.

“Comments from the IWA and the Canal & Rivers Trust fail to recognise the the historic reasons for canals they were built to aid the industrial revolution hence they pass through areas like this.

“Indeed, until Hills Contractors took over the site was owned by Wernicks and the whole site was stacked with portable building sometime three and four storey high units and prior to that the site was completely covered by oil tanks and silos when it was a Duckhams Oil refinery which operated from the site into the mid 2000’s before being decommissioned.”

“The plant is likely to produce between 15 to 20 much needed jobs with the likes of management, plant operators and drivers for mixing vehicle all required to run the plant.”

He added cement silos were completely sealed and had “sophisticated” dust filtration systems.