Gloucestershire County Council has rejected Allstone’s application to permanently use its Myers Road site in Gloucester for stone crushing activities. The decision follows mounting concerns from residents about air pollution and its impact on respiratory health.
Allstone had submitted retrospective plans to continue aggregate production at the site, which includes a processing and wash plant, weighbridges, and an office. The proposal also involved retaining engineering works to improve access and constructing new aggregate storage bays. However, council officers recommended refusal, citing significant negative impacts outweighing potential benefits.
Key issues raised include the visual and environmental effects on the landscape, increased traffic, harm to residential amenity, and cumulative impacts of the operation. Local residents have voiced strong opposition, reporting that dust pollution is severe enough to prevent them from opening their windows. Many described ongoing noise and air quality problems linked to the site’s long-term operation.
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During the council meeting, an objector highlighted the daily disturbances endured by locals, noting the application was retrospective, denying preemptive safeguards. Questions were raised about whether alternative, less residential sites had truly been explored. The speaker also expressed doubts about the company’s willingness to comply, citing repeated past breaches of operational conditions.
Allstone CEO Simon Ford urged the committee to defer its decision, stating the company is ready to address concerns regarding noise, traffic, and air quality. He emphasized the firm’s commitment to resolving outstanding issues and noted Allstone’s role as an employer of over 200 people within its supply chain.
However, councillors were persuaded by resident testimonies and expert advice. Councillor Anne Radley highlighted decades of documented complaints about dust, noise, and traffic. She shared a poignant account of a family whose child developed breathing problems after moving next to the site.
County councillor Jeremy Hilton expressed no opposition to the business itself but voiced serious reservations about its proximity to housing. He recalled multiple permissions granted over the years, noting persistent non-compliance and urging that the site be restored once current permissions expire. Both councillors believed suitable alternative locations could be found elsewhere in Gloucestershire.
Ultimately, the council voted unanimously to reject the application, prioritizing the health and well-being of the local community over extending Allstone’s operations at this contentious site.