Storage and distribution use at Unit 1 Horsham Trade Park, Foundry Lane, Horsham

The site and its history

The application concerned Unit 1 at Horsham Trade Park and had previously been deferred for a noise assessment.

“This application was considered by Planning Committee on 22 July 2025, where it was resolved that the application be deferred for a noise assessment of the current operation at the site.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the site was suitable for storage and distribution, subject to controls on activities and operating hours.

“Having regard the findings of the Noise Impact Assessment, the updated Environmental Health comments following their own investigations, the previous land use of the site, and considering the location of the site within a designated Key Employment Area where some commercial noise is expected, Officers maintain that use of the site for B8 storage and distribution purposes is appropriate.”

“Regulatory Condition: No deliveries, dispatches, external operations, trade or other activities (including the operation of plant, roller shutter doors or machinery), shall take place except between the hours of: • 0800 hours and 1800 hours on Mondays to Fridays inclusive, • 0800 hours and 1300 hours on Saturdays, and • not on Sundays and Bank and Public Holidays.”

Officer report

Noise and neighbouring homes

Investigations identified disturbance from loading, unloading, vehicle alarms and other operations, particularly during late nights and Sundays.

“Local residents have made representation to the local authority that large articulated vehicles regularly visit the site with the consequence increase vehicle loading and unloading noise, vehicle manoeuvring etc. If this is correct this may result in noise levels higher than those measured during the attended monitoring period.”

“Noise monitoring equipment installed at a resident’s house overlooking the yard serving Unit 1 identified incidents late night noise and extended noisy working on Sundays. The recordings made between 29/10/25 and 12/11/25 were characteristic of noise from loading and unloading operations including pallet trolleys, roll cages, vehicle reversing alarms, raised voices, LGV and HGV engine noise.”

Officer report

Consultation and representations

Environmental Health advised restricting operations, while seven further objection letters raised concerns about noise and residential amenity.

“A further 7 letters of objection from 5 different addresses have been received since the application was considered at the 22 July committee meeting. The objections raise concerns of noise and amenity impact following the Noise Impact Assessment submitted. These objections are concerned with the behaviour of applicant’s business. The new objections received since the previous committee meeting reflect the nature of the objections received previously whilst also responding to the findings of the Noise Impact Assessment.”

“The Council’s Environmental Health Officers had previously advised:”

Officer report

Who spoke

Three members of the public spoke against the application and the agent spoke in support.

What members considered

Members considered the planning history and whether the proposed conditions would protect neighbouring amenity.

“Members noted the planning history of the application.”

“The Committee considered the impact on neighbouring amenity and agreed the proposed conditions were sufficient to mitigate this.”

Minutes

The committee decision

The committee approved the application in accordance with the officer recommendation, with conditions including limits on activities and operating hours.

“That DC/25/0561 be approved in accordance with Officer Recommendation.”

Minutes