Gloucester factory expansion given go-ahead despite locals' concerns

People living near the factory say noise and odour from the site is adversely impacting them

A factory expansion has been given the go-ahead despite residents' fears over smell and noise.

Permali, on Bristol Road in Gloucester, has been granted a permit by the city council allowing it to use more than 200 tonnes of solvents per year.

Residents have previously complained about noise and "abhorrent smells" coming from the site and fear the expansion will make it worse.

The council's licensing and enforcement committee voted to approve the permit.

It will regulate the site in terms of emissions to air, including noise and odour.

About 170 people objected to the plans and the Canal and River Trust also raised concerns that polluting emissions from the site could enter the Gloucester and Sharpness canal.

But council officers recommended approval, saying there were no polluting emissions from the site to the canal and that a condition included prohibiting any polluting emissions to land or water.

Manufacturer Permali has been operating in Gloucester since 1937, when it began making propeller blades for Spitfire and Hurricane fighter planes, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It was purchased by the Diamorph Group in 2021 and since then it has hired about 100 workers to expand its product range, which includes composite bearings and components for the global marine, rail and aerospace markets.

The firm said it is investing £10m in the site "which is of great benefit to local economy" and £2m of that would be used to ensure operations have the "least possible adverse impact" on the health of employees and nearby residents.