Atlas Mill: Apex Window Services appeals enforcement notice

Located at Atlas Mill in Heaton, Apex Window Services had an enforcement notice served on it in November last year. 

The business is only permitted to be used for storage and distribution, but the council argues that it is also used for manufacturing. 

Now, an appeal against the enforcement notice has been entered into the Planning Inspectorate. 

The applicant is listed as Mehboob Hussain, of Apex Window Services, with the appeal appearing on the body's website earlier this month. 

In November, concerns were raised about the noise and disruption caused by the operation of the business, working with shutters open and on Sundays. 

Ward councillor, Roger Hayes, has raised concerns on behalf of residents. 

He said: "I know several residents have put comments in and I am going to be as well. 

"The business shouldn't even be there because it doesn't have planning permission, it is totally irresponsible of the owner, letting them in knowing they didn't have planning permission. 

Residents raised concerns about loading and noise from businesses at the mill. L-R: Ernest Robinson, Pauline Wilkinson, Chris Bowling, Eddie Bowling and Cllr Roger Hayes (Image: Newsquest)

"They are manufacturing and the gym is leisure, going on until 10pm/11pm." 

He added: "I hope the council's decision is upheld, the window company has shown no consideration, working on Sundays and leaving shutters open. 

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"If the appeal succeeds, it would allow every unit to become a manufacturing unit and would set a bad precedent." 

Cllr Hayes added that residents have told him they are also against the appeal. 

A manager at Apex Window Services said in November that it was "unfair" for them to have been put in the position of being potentially evicted from the mill. 

At the time, the manager, Farzana Shaheen, also highlighted the costs of moving the business, sourcing a new location and moving the machinery and materials. 

The company has been approached for comment. 

Enforcement notice was also placed on the gym which operates from the mill, but no appeal has appeared on the Planning Inspectorate website in relation to it.