Residents are up in arms about a planning application for a 490,000 sq ft warehouse submitted by developer Gazeley in Meir, Stoke-on-Trent.
They are objecting to the development’s size, noise pollution and potential traffic generation and say that their homes have already been blighted by warehouse development in the area. Many residents are still to receive compensation from the Co-op for its warehouse development, which residents say is casting shadows over their homes. That building boasts an eaves height of 12m and is due for practical completion shortly.
Meir Park Residents’ Association secretary Patricia Dixon, said the association was set up in 2004 and since then has been battling against the tide of warehouse developments. So far there have been some 350 letters of complaint. Gazeley agreed to the purchase of the 21.26-acre site in Meir from Johnson Matthey, the materials technology and chemicals company. Johnson Matthey was advised by CBRE in this deal. Gazeley was unrepresented.
Residents have said the site off Whittle Road, which already serves Tesco, B&Q, Aldi and other retail outlets, should be re-zoned for housing or else given over as a public park. A new warehouse on the site could create up to 500 jobs for the area. Stoke-on-Trent Council is still receiving comments on the application.
