Residents Rally Against New Industrial Estate Plans

Plans for a huge industrial estate on the old Quantel site on Turnpike Road in Newbury have been submitted and sparked a local campaign.

The scheme proposes approximately 127,210 sq ft of floorspace across four buildings.

"This is a massive change from a quiet office block," explained Rosie Redwood.

"If this goes through, we will face heavy traffic, constant HGV deliveries over our road's speed bumps (which will cause major ground vibrations), and loud loading/unloading noises during the day and evenings. Continuous HGV movements, reversing alarms, heavy air-braking, loading-bay operations and mechanical plant noise will shatter the quiet enjoyment of nearby homes and gardens."

The developer says "Noise mitigation has been embedded into the scheme design. This includes acoustic screening to sensitive boundaries, appropriate siting and management of servicing activity, restrictions on vehicle refrigeration equipment, engine switch-off requirements, avoidance of tonal reversing alarms and controls on night-time forklift use. Fixed plant noise can be controlled through a suitably-worded planning condition once final plant selections are known. With these measures in place, predicted noise levels at nearby residential receptors would be low and no significant adverse noise effects are expected."

Locals are being urged to lodge objections with West Berkshire Council to force councillors to debate the plans.

Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter