A fifteen-year-old Cleckheaton scrap business could be closed down following noise complaints from neighbours.

Homeowners living near Shingleton's skip hire in Brick Street are set to tell members of the Kirklees Heavy Woollen planning committee that the sound of skips being unloaded in the yard is like "thunder".

But business owner Steven Shingleton said he had only been told last week about the complaints.

He promised that he would do what he could to solve the problem.

University lecturer Jim Donnelly, 49, whose home in Willow Croft overlooks the site of the scrap business, said the boom of skips being dropped onto concrete could be heard throughout his house.

He said: "When we moved in the yard was used for engineering so we didn't have a problem.

"Now it's very noisy and it would make it harder for us to sell if we wanted to move. It sounds like thunder when the skips drop."

Barry Hodgson, 63, also of Willow Croft, said: "When you want to sit out and relax you can't because the noise is terrible. I'm lucky that I'm out at work during the day but my wife has to put up with it."

Committee members are expected to decide during a meeting on Friday to visit the site, on the advice of ward councillor Andrew Pinnock who will put forward the residents' views.

Temporary permission to store and transfer waste was granted for two years in 1996 and must be renewed if the firm, which moved from another site in Brick Street three years ago, can continue to work there.

Environmental Services officers have recommended that members refuse permission if noise levels cannot be lowered.

Mr Shingleton said he was told Council officers had taken noise readings from around his yard in December following complaints - but was not informed.

He said: "We didn't know there was a problem. The last thing I want to be is a bad neighbour.

"Since I found out we have tried to keep noise down before 9am and after 3.30pm and I think we should be able to move things around so we don't drop skips near the houses."

Mr Shingleton said between six and 12 skips were dropped off and emptied each day.

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