Neighbours' fear as firm at centre of complaints plans to expand
AN engineering firm blighting residents' lives with vibrations which have caused gas pipes to fracture wants to expand, it has emerged.
As reported in The Post, Pete and Monica Lang said the vibrations and accompanying noises emitted from two milling machines in the workshop of Strenco Tools in Kelston Road caused a variety of unwelcome health complaints, including pounding headaches, nausea, blurred vision, lack of concentration and exhaustion.
The couple first complained to the council in 2010 and a noise abatement notice was issued to the company in November last year but the loud noises and vibrations have continued.
Mr Lang, 70, claims the two machines currently housed in Strenco's workshop shake his house, which has been in his wife's family since 1933.
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Now the company plans to expand its workshop – which will include space for a third milling machine, and Mr Lang fears the noise and vibrations will become "unbearable".
The planning application submitted to Bristol City Council claims the new workshop will include more insulation to help prevent the noises and vibrations felt by nearby residents.
But Mr Lang fears this will make no difference to the noise or vibrations, especially if a third milling machine is installed.
He said: "The problem began in 2009 when the first milling machine was installed at the workshop of Strenco Tools.
"It got worse in 2011 when another machine was installed – and the thought that another milling machine could be installed after the workshop is expanded is just unbearable.
"The planning application is ludicrous. If it is allowed I don't know what we'll do or where we will go."
An environmental noise report was commissioned by Strenco Tools in December to form part of the planning application.
The report claims that noise emissions from the existing site operations have been measured on site and at a "nearby noise sensitive receiver".
It goes on to say: "Noise mitigation advice in terms of existing building fabric upgrade measures has been provided to reduce the impact of the existing site operations on the existing noise sensitive receivers".
Keynsham-based Acoustic Consultants Limited, which were commissioned to provide the report, states: "It is difficult to determine the effect of the mitigation measures.
"However, we would expect the operating noise levels be reduced significantly and possibly reduced to within acceptable levels.
"It is proposed to build a new workshop building to house up to three milling machines.
"The report advises on building fabric constructions to control noise from within the new workshop building."
Strenco Tools spokesman Steve Ridding previously told The Post that the company had been working "extremely closely" with the council from the initial reporting of the noise issue and said he felt the matter was being resolved through all the normal channels.
He yesterday declined to comment on the planning application.
Strenco's appeal against the noise abatement notice will be heard next month.
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