News Article

Plans approved for new Ellesmere Port start-up units

20 April 2021

Plans have been approved to bring the site of a former builders' merchants in Ellesmere Port back into use, creating six units for start-up businesses within the existing warehouse previously occupied by Travis Perkins.

The change of use application was lodged by the Coronation Road site owners MACS Property Construction Limited, with Travis Perkins having closed its Ellesmere Port branch last summer.

In a report recommending approval, council case officer Edward Shepherd said: "The building is currently in B8 use and whilst the subdivision would potentially result in a greater level of use cumulatively, the uses would be similar and result in a reduction warehousing, creating a use which is appropriate within a residential area.

"As such, there would potentially be a reduction in HGVs or large vehicles visiting and providing deliveries to the site as associated noise impacts.

"Moreover, whilst close to residential dwellings particularly those immediately to the west, given the existing and proposed use it is not expected that the proposal would not have a significant adverse impact on health or quality of life, having particular regard to residential amenity.

"It is considered that the proposed development would have no unacceptable impact in respect of visual amenity. In terms of highway safety, the highways officer has confirmed that there are no highway objections to this proposal.

"It is considered that the traffic impacts would not be significantly different to the previous use and would be likely to involve fewer large vehicles/HGVs visiting the site.

"A condition will be added to ensure that 1 electric charging point is provided prior to first use of the new car park and that details of the works within the highway are agreed before commencement."

The planning application was prepared by Savills on behalf of the Liverpool-based applicant and said the proposal would bring a vacant premises back into use and create employment opportunities.

It states: "The application seeks planning permission to bring an existing warehouse building back into use.

"The proposal proposes works that will attract occupiers to the floorspace to meet market requirements for start-up units for small enterprises.

"The development is therefore a positive economic proposal that will provide a base for employment growth in start-up businesses in the town.

"The proposal will bring back into effective economic use a vacant and brownfield site in Ellesmere Port.

"The development will create employment and potentially creates an opportunity for employment for a larger number of local residents as businesses grow and expand.

"The site is in a well-related location in the urban area of the town to benefit from attracting employment from the local labour market."

Each business unit will include both an access door and roller shutter door, while 18 parking spaces will be provided, with six of those being disabled spaces.

As part of the proposed external works, there would be new grey cladding on the roof and upper side elevations with exposed cleaned and painted brickwork at lower elevation levels.

A new steel roof with lights would also be fitted.

(via Chester Standard)