Five-storey self-storage building at Myrtle Street, Ellesmere Port

What was proposed

The proposal would demolish a bungalow and commercial building and erect a five-storey self-storage building with associated access.

“Description of development: Demolition of existing bungalow and commercial building and the erection of a five-storey self-storage building (Use Class B8) and associated access…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 0.3-hectare site lies beside the M53 in a mainly commercial area, with residential properties to the north and heritage assets nearby.

“Myrtle Street is a short cul-de-sac located off Merseyton Road, which is some 450m south-east of Junction 8 of the M53 motorway. The application site, of some 0.3 ha, is situated on the east side of the M53. Custom House offices lie to the north-west and commercial development, some of which is accessed off Elm Street, to the southern side of Myrtle Street. There is a small group of seven residential properties lying to the to the north of the proposed development site.”

“The application site itself straddles and incorporates part of Myrtle Street to form the proposed new development site. On the north side of Myrtle Street, the site incorporates a light industrial building (formerly an outbuilding to Custom House) with access off Merseyton Road and an associated yard and grassed area, along with the residential property, The Bungalow, 2 Myrtle Street.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the development acceptable in principle, well designed after revision, economically beneficial, and not significantly harmful to residential amenity or other interests.

“The principle of new commercial development in this location is considered acceptable, even desirable, particularly given the regeneration benefits of re-use of this previously developed site. The Applicant’s Planning Statement refers to the proposed development seeking to provide a distinctive, ‘landmark’ building along the M53.”

“Again, in relation to the scale of development, there is adverse impact in terms of residential amenity, notably the outlook from adjacent residential property, but the adverse impacts, including assessment of noise, light, privacy is not considered significantly adverse, and Policies SOC5 and DM2/DM30 are satisfied subject to appropriate conditions.”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

Consultees generally raised no objection subject to conditions, while residents objected over parking, traffic, disturbance and privacy.

“Environmental Protection – No objection subject to conditions relating to construction hours and deliveries, control over plant noise, control over lighting, restriction on hours of use of forklift trucks.”

“Myrtle Street would be reduced in length, leaving residents with nowhere to park. Existing parking restrictions (yellow lines) should be removed, or parking permits provided. • There is concern about increased traffic using Myrtle Street with congestion and disturbance to residents. It is suggested that the new development be accessed via the Custom House site, which has an existing larger car park, avoiding Myrtle Street.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

The agent spoke during consideration of the application.

The vote

The proposal to approve the application subject to conditions was passed unanimously.

“A proposal to approve the application, subject to conditions in the report was passed unanimously.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The application was approved subject to the conditions set out for construction, drainage, access, noise, lighting, landscaping and operational management.

“Standard Time Limit 2. Approved drawings and documents 3. Details of overland flow (Lead Local Flood Authority condition) 4. Details of ground and finished floor levels (ground floor level 13.350m) 5. Construction management plan 6. Drainage Scheme implementation (United Utilities) 7. Construction hours of despatch and delivery 8. Construction hours of working 9. Control over piling & vibration 10.”

“No outside storage (except as approved) 22. Details and control over lighting (with lighting assessment and lighting management plan for external lighting and lighting to windows facing the motorway) 23. Use restriction (Self-storage use only / no other use within Class B8 (Storage & Distribution). Unexpected contamination…”

Officer report