Barriers at Beckley pasta factory to protect neighbours from noise

At a virtual meeting last Thursday (May 28), Rother District Council’s planning committee approved a change of use application, allowing food manufacturer Ebrofrost to continue operating out of a long-established site in Hobbs Lane. 

The factory (which processes pasta to sell on to restaurants and the manufacturers of ready-meals) operates continuously for six days each week, from 5.30am on Mondays through to 6pm on Saturdays. It has operated from the site in some form since 1995.

The retrospective application came after neighbours raised noise complaints in January 2019, which revealed that the use and operating hours of the factory were unauthorised. 

This was partly because a previous temporary planning permission (for use as a mushroom processing factory) had expired some time in 2013.

In a report considered by the committee, a council planning officer said: “This is a successful business, which needs to continue producing and processing pasta from 5.30am on Monday mornings through to 6pm on Saturdays.

“Notwithstanding this, the factory is located in a quiet rural area where the requirements of the business have to be balanced against the amenities of local residents.

“Currently, the noise generated by the factory is having a significant adverse impact on the living conditions of residents in the locality.

“However, noise mitigation measures in the form of two acoustic barriers are proposed, which would provide adequate noise attenuation. 

“Therefore, subject to these barriers being erected, which can be secured by condition, and expiry of the publicity period, it is recommend that planning permission is granted.”

While several objections had been raised by local residents, this recommendation from officers was unanimously approved by committee members,

Ward councillor Martin Mooney (Con, Northern Rother) also spoke in support of the proposals.

Cllr Mooney said: “I am very pleased to support the application. A lot of work has gone in to this, a huge effort to deal with the noise, which is absolutely the most serious thing that  is happening here on this site.

“Providing all the conditions are put in place and there is monitoring of the noise levels I would be happy to accept and support the application.”

For more information see application reference RR/2020/49/P on the Rother District Council planning website.

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