Campaigners furious as firm opens second gate
Poundstretcher says there are no restrictions with entrance
CAMPAIGNERS are furious after Poundstretcher opened up a second entrance to its Leicestershire headquarters to bypass long-standing restrictions on when lorries can and cannot enter the compound.
The company is locked in a long-running dispute over its plans to extend the hours HGVs can access its base in Desford Lane, Kirby Muxloe.
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council indicated it would refuse permission for the company to alter an existing condition that restricts deliveries to 7pm on a week days.
Now, the company has started allowing vehicles back into the compound via a second gate on to Desford Lane, arguing it is free to do so because there are no restrictions attached to this particular entrance.
It says it has taken legal advice on the matter.
Poundstretcher wrote to the council recently, telling officers it would be opening up the second gate.
The move has infuriated objectors who say the original restrictions must be maintained because they do not want vehicles passing their home late at night.
County councillor
Peter Bedford said: “I am disappointed at how the company has conducted itself.
“We have met them and made suggestions about how to compromise and they seemed open to that.
“What they have done is not in the spirit of the rules and they are doing what they want without regard to residents.”
The district council says it is looking at whether to take enforcement action and has said it has not been supplied with the company’s legal advice.
Poundstretcher’s agent Peter Wilkinson said: “We have informed Hinckley council of our intention to start the use of the entrance for lorries returning after 7pm.
“We have taken legal opinion and we are lawfully entitled to use this entrance. The issue has always been about returning vehicles.
“The company wants to be able to prevent situations where lorries return later than anticipated and have to park up outside the gates for the night.
“That has been a matter of some concern for residents.”
He said from last Wednesday to Saturday a total of 16 lorries returned from shops after 7pm.
He said this was fewer than the 10 per day the company had originally anticipated.
The company has lodged an appeal against the council for failing to determine the application within 13 weeks.
It was submitted months ago.
Councillors argued the six
have company was content to agree to postponements of decision when it thought its plans would be approved.