A part-retrospective application for the installation of the units with associated landscaping, external lighting, parking and signage – on Lords Fold – came before the planning committee on Tuesday.
According to a report to the committee, the site comprises an area of hardstanding measuring approximately 65m in length and 25m in width, bounded by a paladin security fence and accessed via double-gates.
It said: “The site is set up as a self-storage facility that is seeking consent by this application. There was previously an industrial unit on the site, but the site has been cleared and covered with hardstanding for many years, it has been used as informal storage space and parking since circa 2018.
“The proposal is the siting of 97 self-storage containers, together with associated landscaping, external lighting, parking and signage. The proposal is part-retrospective as the site is already operational with 50 of the containers proposed having already been installed at the time of writing.
“The proposal also includes the siting of a small steel booking office measuring 3.7m in length and 2.4m in height; this is already in-situ and is positioned close to the site access gates.
“The site is, however, generally unstaffed with staff primarily visiting to greet new customers. Customers wishing to visit the site will typically book a slot online whereby they are provided with a keycode to enter the site gates. The site would be open between the hours of 6am and 10pm.”
Furthermore, in the report, it said the proposal would utilise an area of vacant land in an existing employment area and the principle of the proposed development is “acceptable”.
It added: “There are no outstanding biodiversity or lighting issues which cannot be resolved via condition.
“The proposed development would not result in harm to the safety or capacity of the highway network or unacceptable residential or visual amenity impacts.”
As recommended, the application was approved, subject to conditions, with authority delegated to the head of planning services to add, remove or amend conditions “as they deem necessary”.
