Scrap site set to stay open despite objections

A metal recycling centre in Swinton is likely to remain open despite opposition from residents and neighbouring businesses.

JBM Metal Recycling, which opened last September, wants retrospective planning permission to change the use of Unit G2 on White Lee Road Industrial Estate to a scrap processing site.

Objectors have raised concerns over its safety, noise, visual impact and parking.

Rotherham Council is set to approve the application and its final decision will be made at the upcoming planning board meeting on Thursday.

The unit was previously approved for general industrial or storage use.

Ten formal objections have been raised against the site, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Two recent fires, which led to evacuations across the wider estate, were cited as evidence it posed a safety risk.

Complaints were also made against the appearance of metal being stored in open piles and the noise from a grab machine, which residents argued could be channelled into housing areas by a nearby railway tunnel.

Neighbours also said the business lacked sufficient on-site parking and vehicles were obstructing their land.

In response, the council's environmental health officer reviewed a detailed noise impact assessment submitted by the applicant and found the likely increase in background noise to have a low adverse impact.

Planning officers recommended permission should be granted with certain conditions.

They said operating hours should be limited to 08:00-16:00 on weekdays and 08:00-12:00 on Saturdays, with no operations on Sundays.

Only one grab machine should be used at a time, and material storage should be restricted to10ft (3m) high and contained in designated bays.

The council's transport department did not raise any objections, noting the site was located within an established industrial area and had adequate space for deliveries and staff parking.

They said most parking issues related to private land disputes, which fell outside the remit of planning enforcement.

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