A recycling firm has moved to defend itself after complaints over rats in the area, HGVs and noise were aired in a council meeting. 

Poineer Polymers (not pioneer) on Derby Street in Westhoughton was described during last week's full council meeting as a “much needed” and “very successful” recycling business.

But, despite the praise for the firm, a number of concerns were raised by Conservative Cllr Martin Tighe regarding Derby Street, which is causing distress to residents.

He said the firm is operating for "almost 24 hours a day" and non-recyclable material is "attracting other rats and vermin" as well as mentioning the effect of arriving HGVs.

But Poineer said it only operates 7.30am to 6pm and it is only recyclable waste that is stacked at the site.

At the meeting, Cllr Tighe, who represents Westhoughton North and Hunger Hill said: “The downside is the factory is now operating for almost 24 hours a day, sometimes seven days per week, for weeks on end.

"There are deliveries at all times of day and night, and an ever-growing pile of non-recyclable material which is attracting other rats and vermin into the gardens of the adjacent residents.

“The noise from the site is unbearable.

"I believe Poineer has been warned by the council in the past about this.

"According to long-time residents, it is now much worse.
“Deliveries from long HGVs are blocking Bolton Road. HGVs drive on and damage the footpaths, which the taxpayer will have to fund the repair of.

“Large HGVs are parked overnight adjacent to residents’ homes, with cab drivers looking into their bedrooms which is absolutely terrifying for the young women who live there.”

Cllr Tighe also said that residents described the site as “much worse than it has ever been before”.

He asked the executive cabinet member, Cllr Sue Haworth, to investigate “breaches in operational hours, noise levels, public and site health and safety concerns, the legality of HGVs staying overnight and waste storage and management issues".

Responding to the question, Cllr Haworth, who represents Farnworth North, said: “This issue was immediately forwarded to officers and regulatory services to investigate the concerns you have highlighted and consider an appropriate response.

READ MORE > Six-month old baby left sick from mould after Bolton at Home inaction

READ MORE > Gynaecology negligence claims cost Bolton NHS FT £3million

READ MORE > Bolton councillors row over number and length of questions in chamber

“It’s good to hear that more residents are recycling their waste and have been persuaded of the benefits of recycling.

“However, it would not be appropriate for me to provide an update on a live regulatory power investigation or start commenting on that detail.

“Please be assured this item is with officers at the present time.

“In relation to the HGVs, the highways authority have told me they can confirm that highways have limited powers in relation to the enforcement of heavy goods vehicles.

“The installation of bollards could be considered with the support from councillors and local residents.

"Although it’s likely this will displace parking to somewhere else, which is something that we always have to consider.

“The ongoing enforcement case will consider the issues set out and provide a response when they have the information.”

In response to the complaints, a spokesperson for Poineer Polymers said: "We only operate between the hours of 7.30am and 6pm.

"Although we do have a licence to operate 24 hours we don't use this.

"For the sake of everyone around that area, we stop at 6pm. Last year we were running up to 10pm but have since stopped this to limit the amount of noise. 

"We don't start work at 4.30am in the morning, which we've heard has been reported, no one should be on site at this time.

"As for the complaints of non-recyclable waste, we are a recycling company so it is only recyclable waste that is stacked, like plastic."

Nita Rindo, who owns the company with her husband said: "We don't have any food packages on site or any food deliveries, so we strongly refute the allegations of rats coming from our business. 

"We were not contacted by the council before our business was bought up at the Full Council meeting by name and it's very upsetting. We have made amendments to make sure that these complaints are addressed.

"We have been operating for 12 years and came to Bolton in 2021. We have since consulted a sound engineer to measure the noises, moved the machinery and used insulating material to reduce the noise - all of this was very costly to do. 

"We don't want to be a bad neighbour and we invite the council and members of the community to meet with us so that we can resolve the issues effectively."

Got a story? Email me at Leah.Collins@newsquest.co.uk