Cheshire East has given the go-ahead for a self-storage business on the site of a former printworks in Crewe, but restricted its opening hours from 6 am to 11 pm.
Lock Stock Self Storage Limited had applied for permission to operate 24/7 at the site on the corner of Catherine Street and Frances Street.
The site is vacant after the former printworks was destroyed by fire and later demolished last year.
Cllr Dawn Clark (Image: Cheshire East Council) Ward councillor Dawn Clark told yesterday’s (Wednesday) meeting of the southern planning committee the area was residential and neighbours feared there would be an impact from the motion lighting and the noise of storage containers being opened and closed late at night.
She said the previous printworks hadn’t been noisy.
“People who’ve lived in that area for decades say it wasn’t much noise,” she said.
And she added, “Do they actually need 24/7 access to this type of facility?
“Legitimately, I don’t think anybody needs to go into a container at 3 am in the morning.”
Rhian Powell, representing the applicant, said the company operated from 30 sites, some in residential areas, and made every effort to be a good neighbour.
She said customers like the idea that they had access to the storage facility 24/7, but in reality, it wasn’t used much late at night.
The application was moved for approval by Brereton councillor John Wray (Con) and seconded by Cllr Allen Gage (Willaston, Con).
It was approved with added conditions restricting the operating hours and for a management plan in relation to the upkeep of the containers and tidiness of the site.
Seven councillors voted in favour, one against, and one abstained.
