By Adam Morton
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s planners are currently considering an application to extend the storage capabilities of a unit at a Banbridge industrial estate.
Lodged by agent R E Quinn Architects Ltd, on behalf of applicant GWA Supplies Ltd, the application seeks permission to extend the store at an existing commercial unit at 3 Brookfield Industrial Estate.
The application form notes the applicant does not control any of the land adjoining the 0.27 hectare site and that access to the proposed development will be made via a new access to a public road though no existing access point will be altered.
Currently, the site has seven vehicle parking bays and if this application is approved the number of parking bays available will increase to 11. Water will be supplied to the development via the mains network and surface water and foul sewage will be disposed of via the mains sewer.
It is also noted the location of the proposed development is not in an area of known flood risk.
At present the total area of floorspace designated as storage is 232m2 and if approved, the total area of floorspace available will increase by 390m2 to 622m2.
Currently, a total of 22 vehicles attend the site on a daily basis. If this application is approved, the number of vehicles attending the site each day is expected to increase to 29. This will result in an additional two staff members attending the site on a daily basis.
A design and access statement accompanying the application notes the existing site comprises of a 440m2 commercial unit, 200m2 of which is office space/conference room and staff facility. The remainder of the floor space is parts storage which is accessed via a roller door shutter along the eastern boundary.
The statement explains that GWA Supplies, supply spare parts, consumables and more to wind farm operators throughout the world and, as the business continues to grow, it is rapidly outgrowing its current commercial unit.
“The proposal considers consolidating the storage under one roof with the avoidance of renting space and unnecessary traffic/staff movements across the road,” reads the statement.
“The overall flow and functionality of the site has also been considered and the topography addressed to ensure the building has a consistent ground floor throughout.
“The extension is a purely functional storage unit accessed off the existing store via a 3.0m link. The height of the extension is to a modern standard and will allow for future mezzanine installation should there be a requirement to do so.”
The report also notes the materials used in the construction of this storage expansion will be “new, fresh and modern” and promote the standards of GWA’s business model enhancing the “overall character of the area while respecting the built form an existing commercial site”.
Lodged and validated on June 8 the application’s consultation period expired on Friday, June 30 with its neighbour consultation period expiring on Friday, July 14.
The application’s standard consultation period will expire on Friday, July 21 and the application will be advertised until Friday, July 28.
ENDS
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