An award-winning engineering company has had its plans to expand its site approved by council bosses.
Fort Vale Engineering Ltd was looking to add a multi-million pound production facility to its Calder Vale Park complex in Simonstone, near Burnley.
Ribble Valley Borough Council approved the plans with conditions, while both Burnley Council and Hyndburn Borough Council, which share close borders to the site, also raised no objections.
Some objections had been raised by residents, particularly citing the 24/7 operation of the site and the noise pollution produced by it, but despite these the plans got the green light.
Fort Vale is a world leader in the precision manufacture of valves and fittings for the transportation of chemicals, liquified gasses, and goods by tanker.
A design and access statement in the application said: “The proposed development is part of the ongoing investment programme at the Simonstone site to facilitate business growth and to allow more efficient site operations.
“Since acquiring the site, Fort Vale have refurbished and developed ‘Building S’ and cleared other disused buildings.
“A new office building, research and development facility, an extension to ‘Building S’, a foundry, a sports and recreation facility, and most recently a storage warehouse, have all been constructed, firmly establishing the site as the company’s international headquarters.
“The proposed building will provide a supplementary production floor area on-site to allow the expansion of the manufacturer.
READ MORE: Simonstone firm proposes new building at HQ to boost growth
“The entire ground floor space comprises of a production plant with the exception of the core area, which provides access to the first floor welfare and supporting facility to the new unit.”
The council raised no large objections to the plans, mainly asking for further documentation around drainage and water pollution.
They also made conditions relating to noise coming from the site and the external lighting on the building being such that it will not intrude on nearby residents.
One resident said they had a “long-standing” noise complaint to Fort Vale which was “continually stalled and ignored” by the council.
They said: “The current noise complaint is due to the ongoing noise from the current facilities which is already having a negative impact on our daily lives.
"This noise impacts us on a daily basis and is particularly more impacting in the summer months when we are forced to keep our windows closed due to the noise levels.
“We should be able to have our windows open for fresh air and yet Fort Vale prevent us from doing this.
"We dread to think of the impact that will be caused if this planning goes ahead, the facility is much closer to the residents and will be housing the same equipment that contributes to the current noise level.
“The noise is intrusive on residents when in their home but even more so when outdoors in the garden areas, causing misery.
"The current noise levels are excessive and are already above the level that was previously stated it would be in previous planning applications.”
Despite the objections raised, plans were approved by the council and other interested parties such as United Utilities and the Health and Safety Executive, also had no objections.
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