2 days Ago
Proposals for a large industrial storage facility in a rural area have been rejected. Plans for a storage compound of 53 shipping containers at The Old Coal Yard, Newpound, Wisborough Green, were turned down by Chichester District Council on March 26. The containers were intended to be used by HGH Groundworks, a company currently based in Washington, Horsham District, which employs 180 staff.
The planning application suggested that the new site would not change the scale of the existing site, which has been used for storing building and fencing materials and as a base for three lorries for the past 20 years. The company argued that the proposed changes would enhance the facility's functionality and amenities without affecting the surrounding landscape. However, the council's planning report highlighted several issues with the proposal, noting concerns about the impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.
The current entrance to the site (Image: Google) The report stated: "The proposed siting of 53 shipping containers represents a significant intensification of the site in comparison to the less formal, open arrangement at present. "As the proposal is to site these containers permanently, there would be a significant adverse impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area. "The impact on the character of the area and the landscape harms identified would attract significant negative weight against the proposal.
" READ NEXT: Sports facility that was a risk to squatters is being demolished The planning report also raised concerns about the proposed 24-hour operation of the site. The council's Environmental Health Department expressed concerns about the potential impact on nearby residents due to noise. The report stated: "It is considered it is not possible to adequately mitigate against people banging and clattering around storage containers in the middle of the night, to achieve adequate noise levels in such a quiet location.
" Wisborough Green Parish Council also objected to the proposal. The council raised concerns about the proposed access, stating that it was insufficient to allow two vehicles to pass and exit the road adequately. The proposed facility would have included 53 shipping containers (Image: Pullen Architecture) It also noted that space within the site for vehicle movement appeared restricted, which could lead to congestion at the entrance.
The parish council also expressed concerns about noise and light pollution. READ NEXT: Former Post Office and university building to be turned into 41 flats The council added that the proposal did not provide a robust justification for the development's need for a countryside location or demonstrate that it met an essential, small-scale, and local need. The council's planning report concluded that the proposed development could likely be accommodated within a settlement boundary, reducing the impact on the countryside.
The application can be viewed using the reference 24/01340/FUL..
