Sunderland self-storage facility approved despite local objections and wildlife concerns

Plans for a new 'self-storage' business on the outskirts of Sunderland have been given the green light, despite facing opposition from more than a dozen locals. The city's Planning and Highways Committee, convening this week, has approved an application for a plot at Halliwell Street, near Brinkburn Crescent, in the Houghton ward.

Linton DMC, the applicant, sought permission to transform the site into a self-storage hub, featuring up to 71 shipping containers. The proposal also encompasses the installation of lighting columns, CCTV, and landscaping.

Previously, the site served as a storage depot for Northern Gas Networks, as per planning documents. However, during the council's consultation period, 13 objections were raised by residents concerned about potential crime, parking issues, traffic congestion, privacy infringement, noise increase, light pollution, and the impact on wildlife habitats.

READ MORE: Motability Scheme update means more people can claim extra support - here's how to apply

READ MORE: Full list of Dobbies stores set to close before Christmas including North East branch

Some residents also worried about the potential devaluation of their properties, but council planning officers pointed out that property value is "not a material matter for consideration in planning and as such is not considered as part of the assessment of the proposal". The planning application was escalated to the Planning and Highways Committee by Houghton ward councillors, who had also lodged formal objections.

Nevertheless, when put to a vote on Monday, November 25, at City Hall, the committee members unanimously backed the plans. Planning officers had recommended the proposals for approval, deeming the development "acceptable" in a report published ahead of the meeting.

The report stated: "The development would bring an existing brownfield site, which has been vacant for a number of years back into use, thus assisting in the regeneration of the town centre. It is acknowledged that there are limited opportunities within existing sites within the Coalfield area to accommodate the proposed development. Whilst the concerns of neighbours are acknowledged, subject to the imposition and adherence of recommended planning conditions, the cumulative impacts of the development would not have an unacceptable adverse impact on neighbouring amenity."

The report also highlighted that the development would "provide employment opportunities for three members of staff" and parking provision for 35 vehicles.

A planning consultant for the applicant, speaking in support of the self-storage development at City Hall this week, said such facilities "don’t generate a lot of traffic" and that car parking and servicing can take place within the enclosed site. The planning consultant added he was confident that concerns raised over potential issues such as loss of privacy, noise and encroachment would "prove to be unfounded".

Councillors were also informed that the CCTV on site was "high-spec" and could operate 24 hours a day, as well as the development delivering overall biodiversity net gain and lighting being designed to reduce "overspill", with the plans aiming t.

To aid the rejuvenation of Houghton town centre, there's been a push to see the area revitalised. Supporters of the proposal claim that opting for a self-storage facility would be preferable to leaving the site vacant or allowing it to return to its former use as a depot, thus avoiding the heavier traffic that such a use would bring.

A planning statement once submitted on behalf of the applicant argued that the proposed self-storage would represent "sustainable development" and serve "general self-storage purposes". The design includes painting the single-storey storage units dark green to lessen their visibility and the company plans to mainly rent these out to domestic customers, with the possibility of some business clients as needs arise.

The development would also feature roughly nine lighting columns equipped with inward-facing CCTV security cameras along the site perimeter. In the statement, it was noted: "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."

Council planning officials acknowledged that the land had already undergone a cleanup in 2018 with buildings removed and remediation done, but lighting, hardstanding areas and fencing remain. For those interested in the finer details of this planning application, further information can be found on the Sunderland City Council’s planning portal by searching the reference: 24/00256/FUL.