Residents are calling on Warrington Borough Council to reject a planning application for a vehicle repair centre at Trident Business Park, Birchwood, citing serious concerns over noise, traffic, emissions, building heights and proximity to occupied homes.
The proposed operation could run 24 hours a day, raising concerns about disturbance from vehicle movements, repairs, deliveries and equipment, particularly during night-time hours.
Residents are also questioning whether the application (2026/00507/FUL) has properly assessed the homes that could be affected; in particular, 695 Warrington Road – which sits directly behind the site – is an occupied residence but has not been identified as such within the application, raising concerns about whether its occupants have been properly considered in the assessment of potential impacts.
People living nearby are particularly concerned that the applicant has relied upon a 2021 noise assessment, originally prepared as part of the planning application for the wider Trident development.
That assessment is now outdated and was prepared for the original development, not for the proposed vehicle repair operation.
They argue that a new and potentially intensive use, including possible 24-hour activity, vehicle repairs, extraction equipment and additional vehicle movements, should have been supported by a current, site-specific noise assessment.
They believe relying on an assessment prepared for a different development a decade ago fails to demonstrate that the proposed operation can protect neighbouring homes from unacceptable noise and disturbance.
Another major concern is the proposal for five extraction flues approximately five metres high.
Objectors, which also include Birchwood Town Council, say the original Trident buildings were deliberately lowered following objections during the original planning process. The agreed height restriction was intended to reduce the impact of the development on neighbouring properties.
They therefore question how the proposed flues can now be introduced without undermining the protections secured through the original planning permission.
The council is being asked to establish whether the proposed flues comply with the original planning permission and its conditions.
Those raising objections also believe the proposal represents a change in the nature of the business use of the units from that agreed under the original Trident planning permission.
The council is being asked to establish whether the proposed vehicle repair operation falls within the authorised use or represents a material change of use requiring planning permission.
There are also concerns over increased vehicle movements, including activity during unsociable hours, together with emissions and particulates associated with vehicle repair activities.
Objectors say these issues need to be assessed against the actual proposed use, rather than relying on assessments prepared for the original development.
They stress they are not opposed to employment or responsible business development. Their concern is whether this particular operation can operate alongside nearby homes without causing unacceptable noise, disturbance, traffic or environmental impacts.
They are calling on Warrington Borough Council to examine the original Trident planning permission, the agreed building height restrictions, the proposed change of use, current noise impacts, traffic and emissions before determining the application.
Those objecting believe that, without robust and up-to-date evidence demonstrating that the proposal can operate without unacceptable impacts on neighbouring homes, and without clear confirmation that the proposed use complies with the original planning permission in respect of the authorised business use of the buildings, planning permission should be refused.
