Proposals seeking full planning permission for the construction of two industrial units for flexible use, with ancillary offices, car parking, infrastructure, landscaping and associated works at the former British Sidac site, on land north of Robins Lane, Sutton, were sent to the council in 2023.
The application site is located on the junction of Robins Lane and Ellamsbridge Road.
The units proposed to share the central service yard and will have a total of 56 car parking spaces, with five disabled spaces included and there will also be 10 secure cycle spaces and three motorcycle/powered two-wheeler spaces.
Both blocks are proposed to be divided into two Units and will have an overall height of 10.4 metres and a width of 58.5 metres and a depth of 34.5 metres.
A design and access statement in the plans, drawn up by The Harris Partnership Ltd on behalf of applicant The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “This proposal will demonstrate a significant environmental, economic and social improvement for the local area.
“The new buildings will provide a contemporary development, in keeping with the surrounding context and local area.
“The proposals include an integrated landscaping strategy which responds well to the site and provides a sensitive integral aspect to the overall design.
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“The site is easily accessible to all modes of transport and provides easy access within the site curtilage for all users.”
The site was previously occupied by British Sidac from the 1930s to the 1980s, after which the site was acquired by St Helens Council and all previous structures demolished in the 1990s.
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In a report recommending approval of the development, planning officer Natasha Ayres said: “The proposed re-use of this previously developed site for employment purposes is consistent with the local plan’s objectives to retain and enhance employment areas.
“Although the site is not currently allocated for employment use in the local plan, its previous industrial use and the surrounding area’s industrial nature make it suitable for this type of development”.
It was acknowledged that “the proposals would result in an -81.2% loss of biodiversity on-site”, but was added “the development offers significant benefits, including the redevelopment of a brownfield site, the expansion of an existing local business, and potential economic growth and job creation within the borough”.
It was concluded: “Overall, when the benefits of the case are weighed up against the harm, it is considered that the benefits would significantly outweigh the harm”.
Planning permission was granted for the development.
