 Local councillor, Sheridan Westlake, has urged Borough Council officials to take action to tackle a serious noise pollution problem in Merrow.
For a significant period of time, the lives of residents along Merrow Lane, Keepers Close and many others living in the vicinity have been disrupted by the noise from bus and coaches operated in Merrow Depot off Merrow Lane by Countryliner Ltd. The noise commences in the very early hours and can continue to midnight. It is believed that Countryliner is operating in both breach of planning permission and its lease with Surrey County Council by operating in such a way.
At the meeting of Full Council on 11 February, Cllr Westlake asked the Chairman of the Planning Committee what the timetable was for the Borough Council to commence enforcement action against Countryliner coaches at Merrow Depot for (a) breaches of use class planning permission and (b) statutory nuisance.
Replying, Cllr Keith Taylor said he recognised "the frustration of local residents" and pledged that the Council's Environmental Control Officer was now in contact with Countryliner, and was prepared to issue a Noise Abatement Notice if necessary.
Speaking after the meeting, Sheridan said: "This noise pollution has blighted the lives of local residents for too long. Urgent enforcement action is now needed to tackle this unacceptable and irresponsible nuisance by Countyliner's vehicles."
The answer in full:
Councillor Keith Taylor replied:
"Can I thank Councillor Westlake for giving me notice of this question.
For the other Members, I should explain the background to this question. Countryliner have, for some time, operated coaches from premises next to the County Council Depot in Merrow and which they actually lease from Surrey County Council. Both the County and Borough Councils have also received complaints from local residents about the activities of Countryliner. These have related mainly to noise at very early hours in the morning – in some cases so early that most people would regard them as the middle of the night.
Planning permission is required for the current activities of the company and, under the terms of their lease from the County Council, Countryliner are responsible for obtaining such permission. Both the County and Borough Councils have pointed this out to Countryliner but they have, so far, declined even to apply for such permission.
Some time ago, the relevant County and Borough Officers agreed that the County Council, as the owners of the site, were best placed to take action against Countryliner. The County duly took court action but, unfortunately, legal complications meant that a stay in proceedings was agreed for one month. This has resulted in increased pressure on the Borough to take action on this.
During this week, there have been further discussions between Borough and County Officers at the highest level. Assurances have been received that the County Council will definitely go back to court and continue their action. On this basis, the Borough is not proposing to take any Planning Enforcement action on this except in the, hopefully unlikely, event of the County legal action being unsuccessful.
However, given the seriousness of this matter, the Borough Environmental Health Department are also following up the specific noise nuisance complaints. An Environmental Control Officer is meeting a Director of Countryliner on 15 February. He will be asking the company to put in place mitigation measures, particularly at night, and to commit to a timely implementation of any proposals. If the company refuse to cooperate with such measures, urgent consideration will be given to serving a Noise Abatement Notice.
I understand and sympathise with the frustration of local residents with the delayed response to their complaints. However, I can assure Councillor Westlake that his question has had the effect of dramatically raising the profile of this matter within both the County and Borough Councils."
13th February 2010 Tags: Traffic / parking / speeding |
