Plans for a temporary open storage site in a village have been given the green light after changes to address concerns.
Members of West Suffolk’s development control committee met yesterday to discuss plans submitted by Shepherds Grove Investment LLP for an open storage site in Sumner Road, Hepworth, for three years.
The plans were for 3.6 hectares at Shepherds Grove Industrial Estate East to be split into three separate storage areas alongside a small welfare facility with toilet, kitchen, and office facilities.
Aerial view of the site at Shepherds Grove Industrial Estate East, in Sumner Road, Hepworth. Picture: Google Maps.
The applicant said the site could be home to a range of businesses including vehicle storage with Mercedes Benz and storage associated with Sizewell C.
Despite planning officers’ proposals for a condition requiring any vehicle storage to first warrant council approval, there was speculation the site could be used by Copart, or even as a scrapyard.
Copart UK, which remarkets and recycles vehicles, was meant to open a centre in Stanton but pulled out of the plans in October 2023.
Adam Cornish, the agent, said although it was a small amount of employment, the site would still deliver economic growth. Picture: Design and Access Statement prepared by umc architects
Adam Cornish, the agent, dispelled the rumours — he said: “We recognise concerns over the future occupiers of the site, this is not an application which seeks to secure Copart to occupy the site or for it to be used as a vehicle scrapyard.
“Whilst the application only proposes a small amount of employment, it is employment nonetheless as well as economic growth on a site which is largely vacant despite an employment allocation.”
Cllr Carol Bull, representing Hepworth, said the height limit of 10 metres proposed for the storage had also become ‘very contentious’ among residents.
These concerns were stressed by Cllr Gary Bloomfield, chairman of Hepworth Parish Council, who said it would create a ‘wall of multi-coloured containers’ stacked on top of each other in full view from the A143.
To address this, councillors prompted officers to include a condition restricting the height of storage to five metres in the two areas closest to nearby homes, while the area located in the centre of the existing industrial units would remain at 10 metres.
A further suggestion was made for the creation of a liaison group so residents can share any future issues, although this was not put forward as a planning condition.
Cllr Susan Glossop stressed the importance of an avenue for residents to share their concerns.
She said: “It’s all well and good that we agree on this kind of thing here, we’re all sat here and it’s all lovely, then the operation stats and residents have problems — at the end of the day the community is more important than us and we have to make sure their concerns are addressed.”
The site is part of a wider parcel for which the applicant has been looking to secure outline permission for new employment floorspace since July 2023, although this is unlikely to be brought forward within the immediate future.
Committee members decided unanimously to support the officer’s recommendation of approval.