Planning permission has been approved to expand production at Bath Ales’ Hare Brewery in Warmley, despite objections from nearby residents.
The Hare Brewery near Bath
Bath Ales is based at Southway Drive and employs 30 people. It is part of the St Austell Brewery Company Ltd.
South Gloucestershire Council has approved plans for four new dual-purpose vessel tanks that are 9.6 metres high.
They will be installed side by side along with a steel gantry accessed via a spiral staircase for maintenance and inspection.
A replacement CO2 tank measuring 11.6 metres in height and a spent grain silo which will be 9.4 metres high have also been approved.
The planning application said the proposals will enable an already successful business to optimise its processes and continue to thrive and sustain the contribution it makes to the local economy.
Bitton Parish Council did not raise any objections to the plans but there were 13 objections from local people.
Concerns included more noise and disruption, that the new development will be intrusive and an eyesore, and there will be an increase in smells – variedly described as “pungent”, “unpleasant” and “strong and sulphurous”.
One resident said that what was originally a factory building is being expanded into something that is unsuitable for the area and added: “Surely there is capacity for increased production at their larger brewery site in St Austell.”
Another highlighted that the size of the tanks, will be “incredibly intrusive”, adding: “They will tower over neighbouring properties, blocking daylight and be visible from quite a distance, affecting the visual amenity of this residential and semi-rural location.
“They will be visible from the road and the gardens around.”
Another objector said: “I believe the proposed new CO2 tank and DPVs will not only be detrimental to the outlook/amenity of my property but will increase noise due to ongoing operational maintenance of the vessels, possibly including out of business hours.
“This is in addition to the existing noise currently emitted by the machinery installed at this end of the building 24 hours a day.”
A noise survey submitted with the application was assessed by South Gloucestershire Council’s environment protection team and considered acceptable.
Highways officers had no objections to the proposals and the council’s tree officer was satisfied with the arboricultural impact assessment and tree protection plan submitted with the application.
Planning officers determined that the proposals will not dramatically increase the impact of the existing industrial site and granted permission.
