‘Longer working hours but for fewer weeks’ — changes to plastics factory build near Bluebell Wood

Bottle top maker United Caps was restricted to 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday when the plans were approved by Rotherham Borough Council in April.

But the firm wants to work from 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday — saying this will cut 15 weeks off the construction period.

The £18 million plant, off Todwick Road at Dinnington, will share a border with the hospice’s tranquil North Anston grounds.

United Caps chief project officer Rony Van Regenmortel said: “We wish to vary the working hours restriction as it will cause severe impact to our proposed construction programme.

“The contractor estimates that this condition will increase the construction time on site from 35 weeks to 50 weeks, due to the loss of Saturday working and the reduced hours during the week.

“This means there will be an additional 15 weeks of potential noise impact on the hospice from construction activities.”

Chris Dawkins, senior architect at William Saunders, explained other mitigating measures being taken by United Caps.

An earth bund and acoustic fence will be built on the border. The intention is for this to remain when the factory opens.

United Caps has also appointed a liaison rep for the hospice to contact and will pay for extra double glazing at Bluebell Wood.

The new application also clarifies another condition to say that factory noise should not exceed 3dB over background noise.

Bluebell Wood chairman Jon Lister said the hospice would not be opposing the request to vary the working hours.

He added: “While construction would take place for longer periods each day, and for six days a week rather than five, by United Caps’ estimate this would enable them to finish 15 weeks early.

“We feel a 35-week construction period is better than 50. Provided the project runs to schedule, that means almost four months’ less noise and potential disruption for Bluebell Wood families.

“So far, United Caps has worked closely with us to ensure any construction impact can be minimised. 

“It has agreed to create an earth bund for soundproofing, and to install secondary glazing at one end of the hospice building.”