A PROPOSAL which would allow parking for 20 heavy lorries overnight on a site just off Shrewsbury Road in Craven Arms seems likely to be turned down following objections by nearby homeowners.

John Roberts Transport is already using the site at Farmore Mill to park its lorries and complaints to South Shropshire District Council have led to the need for planning permission.

An 18-name petition and nine letters have been sent to the council's planning committee objecting to the scheme, mainly on the grounds of noise pollution and traffic safety on the A49.

One objecting letter from a Shrewsbury Road resident said: "The A49 is overcrowded with heavy lorries thundering past our homes and to have another 20 stopping and opening noisy gates and revving up engines is totally unacceptable."

Another letter to the council points out that the land is already being used for overnight storage of HGVs without planning permission. Council officers in their report to the planning committee confirm this and conclude "it is unlikely" that a condition requiring the site to be used in daylight hours would be kept.

Two residents did write in favour of the lorry park claiming the company provided work for local people and the site is not immediately adjacent to houses.

A recommendation to refuse permission on the grounds of noise nuisance has been made by planning officers. Their report, being discussed as The Advertiser went to press, also recommends an enforcement notice should be issued to stop "unauthorised use" of the site within two months.