An oil blending and lubricants company established for almost 140 years in Brighouse – whose products are used in motorsports – can expand, planners have agreed.
Calderdale Council planning officers agreed Miller Oils’ application to remove three oil storage tanks at the Hillside Oil Works, Rastrick Common, site and install five oil storage tanks should be permitted.
Millers Oils is a leading manufacturer and independent blender of oils and lubricants operating since 1887 based in Brighouse, where the company’s story began.
Motor sports, motorcycles, industrial vehicles, commercial vehicles, cars, plant machinery and vintage vehicles all use products made by the company.
The council received two objections to the plans, raising concerns that the proposed 10-metre-high tanks would be visually intrusive and harm residents’ outlook.
The objectors argued the plans gave an unclear picture of how close the tanks would be to neighbouring gardens.
Objectors also expressed worries about potential fire, explosion, pollution, odour and toxic vapour risks because of the site’s proximity to homes, as well as possible impacts on wildlife and nature.
Noise and disturbance during construction was another concern, while other issues they raised included about the potential effect on nearby property values and issues relating to land ownership and boundary lines.But planning officers concluded that the proposal is acceptable because it is located in an area specifically designated for employment and industrial uses.
They said the new tanks would help an established local business continue operating efficiently and would fit in with local and national planning policies.
The report said the tanks would be in keeping with the existing industrial site in terms of their size, design and appearance, and would not cause significant harm to the character of the area.
Although they would be visible from nearby homes, officers found they would not have an unacceptable impact on residents through loss of light, privacy or an overbearing presence.
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No objections were received from technical consultees, including highways and flood risk officers, and the development was found not to create problems relating to traffic, flooding, drainage, biodiversity or mineral safeguarding issues.
Concerns about property values and land ownership are not considered relevant planning matters, said the officers.“The development would contribute towards the continued operation and efficiency of an established local employer and is consistent with the Local Plan and national policy objectives.“The concerns raised by local residents regarding visual impact, outlook, safety, pollution, biodiversity and construction impacts have been carefully considered.“However, these matters do not give rise to demonstrable planning harm sufficient to outweigh the benefits of the proposal.“Overall, the proposal represents an appropriate enhancement and modernisation of an established industrial operation within a designated employment area,” they concluded.
