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"Our Opinion: East Herts Has Put Birchall Garden Suburb at Risk"
A Call to Action
Background
BP Mitchell have been operating an Asphalt Production Plant on Birchall Lane, Cole Green, despite it never having appeared in any previous Planning Applications.
The plant runs from early morning to late afternoon, producing a constant loud, low‑frequency hum, along with fumes and bitumen odours that affect nearby residents and the local environment.
On 19 December 2025, they have attempted to bolt on the Asphalt Plant by quietly amending the existing Planning Application; a clear attempt to avoid submitting a new, full application that would require neighbour notification and give residents their legal right to comment.
This is a major change to the site’s scale, appearance, operations, and environmental impact, and it directly contradicts the 300+ residents who signed the original petition calling for exactly that: a new, full, transparent planning process.
We again call for Hertfordshire County Council to force a proper, transparent application in which residents are genuinely able to have their voices heard.
What you can do now
Let your voice be heard
What happens once the planning application is closed?
The planning officer reviews all representations (your comments, letter and emails) and assesses the application against local and national policy, consults with statutory bodies, and may seek further information or amendments from the applicant before completing a site visit and drafting a detailed report that weighs impacts and benefits; the final decision is then issued either under delegated powers or by the Planning Committee for more significant or contentious cases.
“Gradually, since 2023 the noise has become more frequent and has made our lives unbearable.”
“The lingering smell of hot Asphalt and Bitumen is often overpowering.”
“How can this be allowed so close to Children's Schools and Residential areas?”
“ I have been hearing this hum 24/7 for about a year and a half. People calling me crazy or saying I have tinnitus!"
“The potential for Health Risks and Environmental damage must be addressed.”