Storm over round-the-clock storage plan

A PLAN for a round-the-clock storage container rental facility on industrial land at Woolston, Warrington has caused a storm of protest.
Eleven nearby residents, Woolston Parish Council, and borough councillor Bill Brinksman have lodged objections to the proposals put forward by Williams Tarr Construction in Bridge Road, Woolston.
But planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved.
The application is for permission to change the use of land currently used for parking and storage to a storage container rental facility with 56 containers which would be available for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Cllr Brinksman (pictured) said the proposed operating hours were not in keeping with the existing hours of work on the site. Residents of Bridge Road did not want 24/7 access, which would vehicle movements up and down a road which was normally very quiet after working hours.
“It would be alien to the road which is essentially a cul de sac,” he said.
He pointed out the site would not be manned so there would be no control over hours, what could be stored there. The containers could be used by firms for storing goods which would go out at unreasonable times. There appeared to be no CCTV monitoring of the site.
Woolston Parish Council objected on similar grounds and believed there would be a detrimental impact on the amenity of residents. There would be an increase in vehicles using the road after the hours of work of existing firms on the site.
Residents feared increased traffic, noise, disturbance  and road safety issues.
Officers argue that the development is acceptable in terms of impact on the character and appearance of the area and would not cause significant harm, nor would there be highway safety concerns if conditions were imposed.
While there would undoubtedly be an increase in traffic, this would not result in significant harm to residential amenity.
The proposals will be considered by Warrington Borough Council’s development management committee tonight.