Plans for a new ‘self-storage’ business on the outskirts of Sunderland have been submitted to the city council. The application, made by Linton DMC, is for land at Halliwell Street, near Brinkburn Crescent, in the Houghton ward.
The plan is to change the use of the site to a self-storage facility, with up to 71 shipping containers. There are also plans to install lighting columns, CCTV and landscaping.
The land was last used as a storage depot for Northern Gas Networks. The planning statement claims the self-storage business represents a “sustainable development” and would be used for “general self-storage purposes”.
The single-storey storage containers would be painted dark green to “reduce their visual impact” and rented out mainly to domestic customers, and possibly some commercial ones. Other works at the site include nine lighting columns, each fitted with inward-looking CCTV security cameras, around the perimeter of the site.
The planning statement adds: “In terms of vehicle trips, it will be appreciated that the layout of the site assumes that trips will be made by private car and/or small commercial vehicles such as transits, rather than any HGV traffic.
“By the very nature of such storage facilities, trip generation is light, the storage facilities being mainly used to act as long-term storage for domestic overflow from the home.
“It is accepted that some light commercial storage activity might generate more frequent trips, but this is anticipated to be by exception, not the normal pattern, this type of storage being more suited to individual needs”.
Applicants added that between two and four people would be employed at the site, if the plans were approved. A decision on the application will be made once a period of council consultation has concluded.
Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website lists a decision deadline of May 2, 2024.
For more information on the plan or to track its progress, visit the council’s planning portal website and search reference: 24/00256/FUL
