Jobs warning from trailer firm

If a trailer-making business near Audlem is not allowed to expand it may have to relocate to Whitchurch, planners have been told.

PRG Engineering wants permission to extend an industrial unit to provide more storage and vehicle turning space at Lightwood Green Avenue, near Audlem.

The application warns that if it is forced to relocate, the village would lose trade and some workers could even lose their jobs.

PRG Engineering took over the site just off the Whitchurch Road at Lightwood Green in 1995 and the business of fabricating bespoke trailers has grown from a one-man operation to a business that now employs 14 people, most of them from the Audlem area.

Growth has left the business short of inside storage space for materials. The firm recently brought nearby land and made a planning application to extend the industrial building by 203 square metres

But PRG can now buy a bigger shed of 240 square metres and wants approval for the larger building. They say the new shed is not much bigger than that originally planned even though it would encroach onto Green Belt land. They claim the bigger shed would also allow more parking space for employees and visitors.

A design statement to Cheshire East planners warns: "If the application were to be refused PRG would have to think seriously about relocating their business and the nearest suitable industrial premises are currently located in Whitchurch."

"Such a relocation would cause inconvenience, additional travelling, time and financial loss to the employees and a huge loss to PRG to relocate and purchase new equipment, also there would be a detrimental affect on the local economy."

"The employees use shops and facilities in Audlem for provisions and worse still some employees do not have the transport to get them to and from Whitchurch and therefore may lose their jobs."

There is an objection to the scheme on the grounds that the increase in area amounts to 19%, that it is a further incursion into Green Belt land and that there is currently enough space for employee and visitor parking.

PRG Trailers make open and covered bespoke trailers as well as car transporters, racing car trucks and trailer accessories.

A decision is expected to be made later this month by a Cheshire East planning officer under delegated powers.

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