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Following complaints from local people that C&G Concrete were hauling sands and gravels outside of their permitted hours, including after midnight, Lincolnshire County Council served a Planning Enforcement Notice. C&G appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, prompting a ten-day inquiry during which Planning Inspector Bruce Barnett heard both cases.
C&G claimed that they had gained lawful rights to haul sands and gravels at any time they wished and were immune from the action the county council had taken.
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Councillor Ian Fleetwood, Chair of the Planning and Regulation Committee, said: "There needs to be fairness to operators who stay within the regulations and to the communities who suffer at the hands of those who ignore the system. I hope the recent decision by the Planning Inspector will mean residents have increased faith in reporting such breaches of planning.
"We give operators plenty of opportunities to regularise their sites and if they choose not to take the advice given, it is important that we take action on behalf of those affected. The officers involved in this case should be commended for their hard work, along with the participating residents."
The inspector ordered C&G to pay the unnecessary costs the council had incurred, with a figure of £43,750 agreed, which has now been paid.
(CD/KMcA)
