PLANS by a recession beating firm to expand their storage facilities at a Brandesburton Industrial Estate look set to be given the go ahead today.
This is despite objections from several local businesses and residents who fear it would lead to the loss of prime farm land and further impact on a site which has been described as “a blemish on the landscape.”
Concerns have also been raised about localised flooding and the safety of staff and animals at a neighbouring cattery and kennels.
Waco UK, who have been manufacturing modular buildings at the site for over 25 years, have applied to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council to use a neighbouring 2.13 hectares of land for the additional storage of portable buildings at Catfoss Industrial Estate, Catfoss Lane.
The company has said that since the recession their fleet has increased to 4,500 units but their current storage site is “not fit for purpose”.
They claim that ground conditions, water logging, access and its distance from their factory which requires the use of a public road makes it unsuitable and moving to another site in Hull or the East Riding would push up unit costs.
“The recession has had an adverse impact on the manufacturing side of the business but has caused the hire side to grow.
“There are 132 employees on site and 10 sub-contractors, of which more than 60% live within 10 miles of the factory,” states the latest report to the Planning Committee.
The plans were first submitted to the East Riding Council in April 2010 but were refused because it was a Greenfield site in open countryside, there was no evidence that other sites had been considered, and it could set a precedent for the expansion of the industrial estate.
But the report states that there is now further supporting information about the company’s need for extra storage space next to their current site and evidence to suggest they had looked at alternative sites.
The revised plans have been recommended for approval by Brandesburton Parish Council, provided that planting is extended to the north east of the site to screen it from the A165 Bridlington Road.
The East Riding Council has received five letters of objection from local businesses and residents who are concerned that the development would lead to the loss of “high grade agricultural land”.
They have also stated that “the existing storage site is oppressive and a blemish on the landscape and this proposal would have further detrimental effects on the local landscape.”
There are also fears that increased surface water would lead to localised flooding, while concerns have been raised over the safety of staff and animals from the Brandebsurton Cattery and Kennels who use adjoining land.
There are also concerns that existing problems of large vehicles parking and turning on the access roads within the estate will be made worse.
The application, which has been recommended for approval subject to several conditions, is due to be considered by the Planning Committee at County Hall, Beverley today (February 2.)