A Hertfordshire-based company has formally applied for permission to operate heavy goods vehicles from a rural site near Buntingford. East Herts Surfacing Limited is seeking a goods vehicle operator’s licence (O licence) to run a small fleet from Yard 8 at Stonebury Farm on Hare Street.
Details of the Operator Licence Application
The application was officially published in the Hertfordshire Mercury on Thursday, 8 January 2026 and is also listed on the Public Notice Portal. An O licence is a mandatory legal authorisation for any business using heavy goods vehicles, governing key operational aspects such as the number of vehicles, the suitability of the operating centre, and ongoing compliance standards.
The company proposes to base its operations at Yard 8, Stonebury Farm, Hare Street, Buntingford, SG9 0EH. The licence would permit the operation of up to three lorries and two trailers from this location.
Who Can Object and How
The law provides a formal channel for those who might be affected by the proposed operations to have their say. Owners or occupiers of land or buildings near the operating centre can make a written representation to the Traffic Commissioner if they believe their use or enjoyment of the property would be adversely impacted.
Any representation must be made in writing and include clear reasons for the objection. It is a two-step process: one copy must be sent to the Traffic Commissioner at Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE, and a second copy must be sent simultaneously to the applicant, East Herts Surfacing Limited, at the Stonebury Farm address.
The deadline for submissions is strict: representations must arrive within 21 days of the notice's publication date. A government guide on the process is available on the Gov.uk website.
Key Considerations for Local Residents
When deciding whether to make a representation, individuals are encouraged to consider several potential impacts of the proposed HGV operations. Relevant factors include:
- Traffic and highway safety on Hare Street and at the access point to Stonebury Farm.
- Noise pollution generated by vehicle movements, loading, and unloading activities.
- Local environmental impacts and the general management of the site.
- The suitability of the operating centre for parking and manoeuvring lorries.
- The proposed hours and frequency of vehicle operations.
The full details and specific terms of the application are contained in the official public notice. This process ensures that community concerns are formally considered by the Traffic Commissioner before a final decision on the operator licence is made.
