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Residents up in arms over the grit-blasting plans
RESIDENTS were left in tears after councillors agreed to allow an engineering company to grit-blast steel through the night just 50m from their homes on Wallsend riverside.
But the operation of SLP Production Ltd will also bring 500 jobs to the site at Hadrian Yard, likely to increase to around 3,000 jobs by 2012.
As the decision was made angered residents stormed out in tears shouting that their lives had been ruined, one yelling that North Tyneside Council had been "bought" by the company.
Planning permission for Yard C on the site was originally granted on May 14, but two conditions were imposed, to limit noise heard from ten homes in nearby Railway Terrace.
But the company who already operate on two thirds of the leased site, known as Yard A and Yard B, say it would not be viable for them to purchase the site if these conditions were to remain, meaning they would move elsewhere in the country, Scotland or even abroad.
Resident Andrew Clark whose home in Coquet Gardens on Bellway's nearby Hadrian Mews Estate lies closer to the already operational Yard B spoke during the meeting of North Tyneside Council's planning committee.
He likened the sound of grit-blasting to a helicopter continually hovering above the estate and that his family's sleep pattern had been affected after work would start at 10 or 11pm.
To help soften the blow for Railway Terrace residents SLP have agreed to enter into a legal agreement to provide them double glazing and ventilation.
Dennis Clark, chairman of SLP said: "It's a very important day for me and my team as the council's decision this evening will decide if we can purchase the entire Hadrian Yard.
"We must be able to show to our partners and investors that the site is viable to make them come here rather than mainland Europe, Korea or China.
"I can't deny we generate noise, we are an industrial company and we are planning to operate in an area designated an industrial area, but SLP will do everything within its power to ensure the local community and Hadrian Yard live in harmony.
"The purchase agreement has a 'drop dead' clause. After that it's not open to us for purchase.
"That's why this evening is so important to our team as we will not be
able to carry on with the yard.
"We have to close the deal and pay the money on June 20."
Coun Tommy Mulvenna said: "I used to live in this area many years ago and I can understand the residents' point of view on the issue.
"The problem is that particular area of the river has been very quiet of a number of years and – talking of the Bellway site – this council actually refused it and it was overturned on appeal, so the government has responsibility for that particular development being there."
It was agreed that, rather than a legal agreement drawn up, it would be minuted that SLP has given an undertaking to, in addition to the measures previously agreed, to install double glazing to the rear of the properties in Railway Terrace, noise attenuation to chimneys and replace double glazing on Hadrian Mews properties, if evidence by noise experts show it is required.
Andrew Clark told the News Guardian after the meeting: "I'm concerned there will not be a legal agreement.
"I hope that Mr Clark of SCP will honour his statement as I'm concerned that at the end of the day it's just an assurance by Mr Clark.
"I do however appreciate the big impact this will have on the region in terms of regeneration and jobs."
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Weather for Whitley Bay
Sunday 05 February 2012
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