Residents’ concerns over ‘much needed’ recycling firm

Poineer Polymers, on Derby Street in Westhoughton, was described during November’s full council meeting as a “much needed” and “very successful” recycling business.

But recently neighbours met with local councillor Martin Tighe to air their concerns.

Poineer Polymers (Image: Leah Collins)

Laura Butcher, 34, who lives next door to the firm, which is situated on an unadopted road, said: “I’ve lived in this homes” target=”_blank”>house for ten years, it’s at the point where I hate living in my own house since the firm moved next door.

“I feel so miserable here.

“I can hear everything and it’s constant, it’s just a nightmare and I’m at my wits end with it.

 “I hate living here. I’ve spent thousands to renovate the place, and I feel like I can’t enjoy it.

“There’s constantly large HGV’s going past my house, sometimes up to fifteen in one day, there’s also a constant beeping noise coming from them. I’m worried my house, or my car is going to get bumped into.

“I have a new car. I can’t even leave it outside my house because I’m worried about one of these vehicles knocking into it. I’ve already had one go into the side of my house. My neighbour had their gutter and soil pipe taken clean off by another HGV.

“My neighbour’s daughter refuses to play outside because of the noise, she thinks there’s a monster outside, it’s been so draining.

“Before Poineer it was A&D Joinery, there was noise coming from there, but they always finished by five on the dot. They had one HGV a week, it was manageable.”

 

Laura Butcher in front of her Derby Street property (Image: Leah Collins)

The business moved to the site on Derby Street in Westhoughton two years ago.

Laura, who said that HGVs sometimes park outside her house overnight with drivers being able to see into her house, added: “I started noticing problems as soon as they arrived. There was no insulation with the noise at first.

“The opening hours have reduced, I agree that they have done that, and they have put sound insulation in, so the noise isn’t what it once was. But it’s not to a significant level.

“There’s school children from Westhoughton High School that use the unadopted road.

“We want communication, we want to come to a suitable agreement. We’ve not had mediation from them since the previous council meeting. It doesn’t seem like they want to benefit the community.”

The issues raised by neighbours are currently being investigated by Bolton Council.

 

Local residents of Derby Street, along with Cllr Martin Tighe (right). (Image: Leah Collins)

A Question on Poineer Polymers  was answered by Cllr Sue Haworth for the Labour Administration at a Full Council meeting at the end of November last year.  

During the meeting, Cllr Haworth said: “Officers have explained that on receipt of the submitted full council question at the Town Hall, the matter was precipitously forwarded to officers in Regulatory Services in the Enforcement team to investigate the concerns raised and highlighted and to consider an appropriate response, based on the information and evidence gathered.

“Grateful if all would understand that it would be inappropriate to provide an update in a public forum, or comment further, on a live regulatory powers’ investigation, but please be assured it is with the officer team.

“In relation to those highways’ issues, the Highways authority update and confirm that Highways have limited powers in relation to the enforcement of HGV parking on the highway.

“Parking restrictions and the installation of bollards could be considered but would need to be supported by ward councillors and residents, as they will no doubt only displace the parking issue elsewhere. Many councillors grapple with this.

“The ongoing enforcement case will consider all of these issues in the round and officers will respond further in due course.”

 

READ MORE:

Westhoughton: Recycling firm speaks out after worries aired in meeting

Family’s heartbreak at death of Westhoughton mum

 

Cllr Haworth addressed the question on Poineer Polymers at the November council meeting. (Image: Leah Collins)

 

Cllr Martin Tighe said: “The company is fantastic with what they do and their recycling strategy, this isn’t the right location for them.

“The size and the frequency of the HGV’s turning up just isn’t sustainable at this location.

Nita Rindo, who owns the company with her husband said: “We do have HGV’s coming into our yards and are aware that residents have complained about this.

(Image: Leah Collins)

“Unfortunately, we need to be able to pay our bills and our workers. We can’t stop the HGV’s as we need them to keep the business running.

“We have reduced are working times already and make sure to stick to this, we are out of the yard by 6.30pm. We have proof that we are not working on the site at this time.

“We invite residents to record the sound if they hear it after this time, we are confident that this is not the case.

“On our end, we feel as though the issue has been blown out of proportion. It has affected us mentally because of the stress. We have the licence to operate with what we are doing now, we haven’t done anything wrong, and it shouldn’t have come down to this.

“We have contacted the previous council and even police have become involved in the matter at certain points. Everything we are doing is in compliance with the law.

“In relation to the noise complaints, we have followed instructions from the council’s environmental team to make it soundproof. They have monitored it with sound devices to see whether we are above the noise threshold.”

The company says it deals it commercial plastics only.

Got a story? Email me at Leah.Collins@newsquest.co.uk

Source – INDIA TV