Operator’s Licence Win in Long Planning Saga

Mark Davies, dealing with traffic matters, and Anne Williams, dealing with planning matters, represented Kingswood Pallets Ltd in a public inquiry held on 18 October 2024 before Deputy Traffic Commissioner Nick Denton.

The inquiry was convened under Section 35 of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995 to address concerns surrounding the use of Oldhouse Lane, Bisley, as an operating centre.

Decision

The Deputy Traffic Commissioner granted Kingswood Pallets Ltd’s application to operate at Oldhouse Lane, but with an agreed reduction in authorisation from five vehicles and seven trailers to four vehicles and five trailers.

Summary
Kingswood Pallets Ltd’s Oldhouse Lane site has a complex planning history and there have been ongoing attempts to use it as an operating centre for a number of years, including under an interim licence, subject to strict operating conditions. Plans to relocate to a more suitable location have been delayed, despite considerable financial investment by the company, but remain intended. The history and the reasons for the delay were detailed at the inquiry.

Representors attending the inquiry stated that the operator had breached the operating conditions relating to the use of the Oldhouse Lane site. It was purported that speed restrictions had been breached, however the evidence of such a breach was not conclusive. Other incidents of concern were detailed to the Deputy Traffic Commissioner, who deemed these not substantial enough for a licence to be refused.

The Deputy Traffic Commissioner concluded that continued use of Oldhouse Lane as an operating centre, could be permitted with stricter conditions and undertakings, some of which were offered by the company, which would mitigate concerns.

With these terms set, the Deputy Traffic Commissioner approved the continued use of the site as an operating centre.