A MANUFACTURER is to spend more than a million pounds on improvements following on-going complaints about noise and environmental pollution.

Around 50 homes have been affected by a ‘roaring’ sound coming from a generator at the Uniroyal Global Factory in Earby.

People have also complained about residue landing on their homes and cars from the factory which makes polymer sheet and coated fabrics from its base at the West Craven Business Park.

The company is working with Pendle Council to try to address the issues which could include fitting a silencer or moving the generator to the other end of the factory.

Cllr Mike Goulthorp, who chairs the West Craven Committee, said there were two issues.

He said: “One is the fallout from the chimney.

“It is infrequent but there are occasions when a large amount of plasticiser covers the cars. That is being dealt with by the company and they have paid for properties and cars to be cleaned.

“The second is the amount of noise from a generator system which has got worse in recent weeks.

“The factory is going to fit a silencer or the other option is moving the system.

“We are monitoring it and will be taking regular noise measurements.

“It has been a major nuisance and we are planning to hold a residents’ meeting about it. The company is working on this and hopefully there will be a resolution. They are keen to get it sorted.”

He said there are about four of five streets affected.

“It is a roaring sound like a motorcycle exhaust. One of the residents brought a recording to the West Craven Committee meeting and it was a like a continuous roar.”

A council report into the issue lists a number of things the company has already done or is planning to do. The company has been contacted for comment.