A Highbridge self-storage business has applied for permission to install a second tier of containers to meet “strong local demand” for its services.
Big Bull Self Storage opened at Isleport Business Park last year after being given the green light to use the site for storage and distribution purposes. However, a condition of the planning consent was that the “storage containers shall be a single storey only and not stacked upon one another”.
The company is now seeking permission to expand so it can serve more local people and businesses while keeping its prices down.
A planning statement says: “The application seeks full planning permission to install a second tier of self-storage containers on top of the existing ground-level self-storage containers. “The second tier would comprise of two smaller storage containers with a walkway in between to provide safe and convenient access. A series of staircases would provide access from ground level.”
It adds: “The Big Bull Self Storage company provides a valuable service to small local businesses and people who need to renovate properties or move house, for instance. “The company is able to keep costs and risk down via low-cost storage with flexible monthly terms.
“However, in order to be able to continue to offer low rents, the expansion of the business is required to offset the need for rent increases due to the strong demand and high occupancy evident. “This will enable the facility to continue to support those that can only afford low rents such as local start-up businesses.”
Big Bull says existing warehouses around the site would shield the development from view, minimising its visual impact beyond the business park. The proposals also point out that a nearby business, Portakabin Ltd, has portacabins stacked on top of one another.
“The double-stacked portacabins do not appear out of place within the context of the business park,” says the applicant.
“The proposal to double stack the storage containers on the application site will be no higher than the portacabins and will similarly be surrounded by a green security fence around the perimeter of the site.
“The proposed development seeks to respond to a strong local demand for the storage facility. “The intensification of use at the site would enable the business to grow and in turn support other local businesses.”
Somerset Council is accepting comments on the proposals (application number 11/23/00065) until Thursday, August 17.
