A POOLE councillor is helping residents challenge a car stacking facility that has been erected just metres away from their back gardens.

Cllr Malcolm Farrell says the structure installed on the Charles Trent site is “so, so unfair” on residents of Ringwood Road and St Georges Avenue.

As reported yesterday, the vehicle recycling firm has applied for a lawful development certificate from Poole council for the racking system, which it argues is not a permanent structure on the industrial site and, therefore, does not require planning permission.

But residents are concerned about the height and proximity of the stacker, which is ‘ruining’ the view from their back gardens.

Cllr Farrell said Charles Trent had offered to put up camouflage-style netting to screen the vehicles but this had not yet been delivered.

Residents are also angry they were not informed about the car stacker before it was built, he said.

“Trent did not consult neighbours regarding this stacking system, and it’s within two metres of their boundaries,” he said.

“Charles Trent say they have gone about this in a lawful way; we as residents don’t feel that they have.

“In an ideal world I’d like to see the cars removed and negotiations take place in order to find a solution which would please the neighbours. I don’t think anyone should have to view this from their back gardens.

“The law will decide if it’s a legal development, but not whether it’s really ethical and neighbour-friendly to do this sort of thing without at least having a conversation first.”

He added: “I can only assume Trent’s planning consultant told them it was lawful development. That’s what we’re hoping to challenge.”

Borough of Poole planning officers are also concerned about the height of the structure. They are currently considering Charles Trent’s lawful development application and will decide whether or not planning permission is required.

Richard Genge, planning and regeneration manager for Poole council, said: “The Local Planning Authority is aware of this and is currently actively investigating the matter. It is also liaising with other agencies to ensure that any risks to residents are minimised.”

Charles Trent did not want to comment further when last approached by the Echo.

On its website, the car stacker is described as a “state-of-the-art” system that enables vehicles to be stacked in a “more modern and cleaner way”.

It forms part of the firm’s wider plans to demolish its existing warehouses and bring its operations under one roof.

Cllr Farrell said: “In principle, I like Charles Trent’s new planned development, which will bring more jobs to the area. But this car stacking system is not fair.”