A PUBLIC inquiry heard how Swindon Council is objecting to a haulage boss basing his business on a site in Stratton.

John Keeping, managing director of Keeping Transport Ltd, is applying for an operator's licence to run the firm from the Bamptons industrial estate off Stratton Road. He has been based there since November 2002

But Phillip Brown, Traffic Commissioner for the Western Traffic Area, who was conducting yesterday's one-day hearing at the Thistle Hotel, was told that objections have been raised to the bid by both the council and residents.

Adrian Dean, in charge of traffic management and road safety at the council, said the authority objects to the bid on environmental grounds. He said: "The application is to keep nine vehicles and nine trailers, which the council views as an unacceptable level of intrusion and will bring added noise and air pollution."

Brian Cockbill, who lives at Coleview, Swindon, but owns a property near the site, objected to the application on behalf of residents.

He said: "There is an environment there that should not be disturbed."

Mr Keeping told the inquiry that trains on the nearby main Swindon to London line created noise, vibration and pollution at the site.

He added: "There is also a scrapyard and waste disposal firm which create tremendous noise."

A decision will be made by Mr Brown in 28 days.