A Hertfordshire haulage company has lodged a formal application to establish a new operating base on the outskirts of a market town, a move that is now open to public scrutiny.
Details of the Haulage Application
Truck Care Haulage Solutions Limited has formally applied for a goods vehicle operator’s licence, known as an O-licence. The company wants to use Buttermilk Farm on Baldock Road in Buntingford (SG9 9RH) as its designated operating centre. The proposal, which was published in the Hertfordshire Mercury and on the Public Notice Portal, outlines plans for a facility to manage up to eight goods vehicles and eight trailers.
The application is now in the hands of the region’s Traffic Commissioner, the official responsible for licensing. They will assess a range of factors to determine if the site is suitable. Key considerations will include how vehicles access the main highway, the potential for noise from movements on the site, and the arrangements for parking and manoeuvring large lorries.
How the Public Can Respond
Local residents and businesses now have a limited window to voice any concerns they may have about the proposal. The law allows owners or occupiers of land near the proposed operating centre to make a formal written representation if they believe their use or enjoyment of that land could be adversely affected.
Any representation must clearly state the reasons for objection and must relate directly to the statutory grounds the Traffic Commissioner can consider, such as environmental impact or road safety. Guidance on this process is available from the Government.
The deadline for submissions is strict: representations must be received within 21 days of the original notice date. They must be sent in duplicate: one copy to the Traffic Commissioner at Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE, and a simultaneous copy to the applicant at 167 Turners Hill, Cheshunt, EN8 9BH.
The Decision-Making Process
After the consultation period closes, the Traffic Commissioner will review the application in detail. They may request more information from the company and will carefully consider any representations received from the public.
The Commissioner has several options. They can grant the licence outright, refuse the application, or grant it with specific conditions attached. These conditions could be used to mitigate local impacts and might limit the number of vehicles, dictate parking arrangements, or set specific operating hours for the site.
The full notice remains available for public viewing via the Public Notice Portal. This case highlights the formal process that governs the establishment of commercial haulage bases and the right of local communities to have their say on developments that could affect their area.
