SWAINS Packaging in Buckhurst Hill is not in breach of planning regulations, Epping Forest Council has said, despite complaints from neighbours about the site.

The area plans sub-committee commissioned the report in May after concerns were raised about traffic and fume emissions at the Brook Road site.

Residents were also concerned about health implications and whether or not the site was correctly classified.

Councillors had refused permission for the erection of three silos on the site.

In his report, the council's area environmental technical officer, Graham Hornby, said: "Until the planning application, this department had received no complaints of odour and only two of noise, dating back to 1996 and 1997.

"I have since received a statement relating to various symptoms suffered by the residents in close proximity to the site. However, this is not a thorough or scientific study and no conclusions can be based on this information on its own.

"I have asked a resident to distribute diary sheets and my telephone number amongst other residents and asked them to call me when the odour is bad.

"To date, I have not noticed any odour emanating from the site, and I have not received any calls or diary sheets from residents."

The factory is classed as a B1 site for industrial processes, which means it operates in a residential area without being to the detriment of that area through noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, soot, ash, dust or grit.

The report added: "The only one of these characteristics over which there has been any doubt is smell but in planning terms there would have to be an habitual problem of smell to identify a change from B1 to B2 use.

"Though there may be an occasional problem, it's not habitual and consequently no change of use, in planning terms, has occurred."

November 5, 2001 15:03