A Plymouth-based food waste management company has formally applied for regulatory permission to establish a new operating centre at a significant local renewable energy facility. SW Food Waste Collection has lodged an application for a goods vehicle operator's licence (GVOL) with the intention of using the Langage Anaerobic Digestion Plant in Smithaleigh, Plymouth (PL7 5AY) as its designated base for commercial vehicle operations.
Application Details and Public Consultation Period
The notice was officially published in The Herald newspaper and is concurrently hosted on the Public Notice Portal as of January 12, 2026. The application specifies that the company, trading under the name SW Food Waste Collection and based at 356 Wolseley Road, Plymouth (PL2 2EB), seeks to operate just one goods vehicle from the proposed centre, with no trailers included in the fleet at this location.
This process triggers a statutory public consultation window. Owners or occupiers of land in the vicinity of the Langage Anaerobic Digestion Plant who believe their use or enjoyment of that property might be adversely affected are legally entitled to submit formal representations regarding the proposal.
How and Where to Submit Comments
Any individual or entity wishing to comment must act within a strict 21-day deadline from the date of the notice's publication. Written representations should be sent directly to the office of the Traffic Commissioner at Quarry House, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE.
A critical procedural requirement is that a complete copy of any representation must be sent simultaneously to the applicant, SW Food Waste Collection, at its registered address: 356 Wolseley Road, Plymouth, PL2 2EB. Failure to provide this copy may invalidate the submission.
Grounds for Making a Representation
The regulatory framework allows representations to be made on matters directly relevant to the proposed operating centre. Eligible concerns that can be raised include, but are not limited to:
- Potential vehicle movement patterns and routing in the local area.
- Issues pertaining to highway safety and site access.
- Considerations around vehicle parking arrangements.
- Potential noise pollution and the proposed hours of operation.
- Any broader environmental effects associated with establishing the operating centre at this location.
Interested parties are encouraged to review the full public notice carefully to understand the complete terms and their rights within this process. The government provides a detailed Guide to Making Representations, which offers comprehensive advice on eligibility, what information to include in a submission, and how the Traffic Commissioner will assess any evidence presented.
The Decision-Making Process
Once the consultation period closes, the Traffic Commissioner will review all duly made representations. The subsequent process may involve several steps:
- The Commissioner may request further information or clarification from either the applicant or those who have submitted comments.
- The applicant may be asked to provide specific undertakings to address concerns raised.
- In some cases, the application may be listed for a public inquiry to examine the issues in greater depth.
Following this assessment, the Traffic Commissioner has the authority to make one of three determinations: grant the licence unconditionally, grant it with specific conditions attached, or refuse the application entirely.
Even for a single-vehicle operation, the approval of an operating centre is a significant regulatory step, as it determines where commercial vehicles are based and maintained. It represents a permanent change in the use of the location for logistics purposes. Therefore, local residents and businesses are advised to assess any potential impacts on their area and, if they have evidence-based concerns, to articulate them clearly within the statutory timeframe.
The full legal notice, containing all precise deadlines, terms, and references to statutory guidance, remains available for public inspection in The Herald and on the Public Notice Portal.
