New complaint for garage after dispute ‘resolved’

Just when a long-standing Staindrop business believed it had finally resolved a dispute with residents of a newly-built adjoining housing estate, fresh complaints have been lodged with county officers.

Louis Smith Motors came under threat last month when a neighbour made complaints about noise from an air compressor and a firewood making operation, as well as a wall of old tyres.

However, owner Brian Atkinson was able to resolve the issue by moving the log cutting business to another part of the commercial yard, and also removing the tyres.

The neighbour went so far as to help pay to have the tyres removed.

Mr Atkinson said: “I have talked to him, and he has been round here. He said he wishes he had come round and talked to me rather than going to the council. He is a nice chap actually.”

He also subsequently received notice from the county council’s planning department that he can continue with his business activities.

The firewood-making facility is run by Mr Atkinson’s son James.

The owner said: “[The county officer] said this yard has a B1 category on it, which is repair of motor vehicles and the operation of cutting firewood.

“He can cut firewood until midnight if he wants to, there is nothing they can do about it at all.”

He was surprised when, on Tuesday morning, he received an email from Durham County Council’s nuisance action team about noise from the wood cutting business.

Mr Atkinson said: “I don’t know who it is, they never tell me. I wouldn’t have thought it is the same guy. I will have to wait and see what happens.”

The officer was due to meet Mr Atkinson on Thursday morning. The outcome was not known at the time of going to print.

Ironically, the new housing estate was recommended for refusal by county planners precisely because they predicted there would be conflict between potential homeowners and the MOT garage.

However, Durham County Council’s south and west planning committee gave it approval.

The planning application for the housing estate was supported by Staindrop Parish Council. It was approved in 2018.

Owen Cleugh, Durham County Council’s safer places manager, said: “We have an active noise complaint which we are currently investigating.

“We will continue to work with residents and local businesses to try and resolve the situation.”