UP TO 250 caravans, motorhomes and trailers will be stored in Stalybridge town centre after a company was allowed to move its site there.
FCM Commercial Services, which is currently based in Hadfield, has been granted permission to set up on what has been unused land bordering Chapel Street, Harrop Street and the River Tame.
It will also double in size after Tameside Council gave the firm the go ahead to owners Frank and Caroline Meagher for a maximum of three years.
Crucially, it will not impact on the town centre’s look and it will see security increased.
Documents for the application, the first on the area for 22 years, state: “The proposed development will also enable a successful existing business to relocate to Stalybridge, allowing for the business to invest in its new location.
“This is particularly pertinent in the context of Covid-19, as the applicant has witnessed a growing need for caravan and motor vehicle storage owing to an increasing number of people choosing to holiday in the United Kingdom, as opposed to going abroad, and as camping and caravanning holidays have become more popular.
“The increased popularity for such holidays has, in turn, led to an increased demand for the storage of caravans and motor vehicles, which is evidenced by the applicant having a waiting list of customers who require this service.”
No trees will be removed as the site, which will be accessed through a five-and-a-half metre wide gate at the bottom of Chapel Street, is converted and nothing will be built. Six car parking spaces will be incorporated.
Documents add: “The current appearance of the site will be retained and, other than ensuring that the site is regularly maintained, there are no changes proposed to the site’s appearance.
“Caravans and motor vehicles will be parked within the site but allowing a circular access route to enable people to drive in and park in their allocated space.
“The vehicles are generally spaced between 18 and 24 inches apart. All vehicles will be parked to avoid existing trees within the site.
“The security of the site will be enhanced, with CCTV, a combination padlock, and key-operated bollards installed.
“It is not considered that the proposals would undermine the emerging town centre regeneration strategy.
“The site has been vacant for a considerable time and whilst limited and minor in scope there would be some economic and environmental benefits associated with the proposals.
“The proposal would certainly not be encouraged as an appropriate long term use within the town centre but on the basis of a three-year occupation it would be difficult to attribute any significant environmental/visual concern.
“The associated storage use is deemed compatible with surrounding uses and subject to the safeguarding of conditions should be able to operate without any undue harm.”
Once the three years are up, the site will be completely cleared according to permission granted by Tameside Council’s director of place, Ian Saxon.
And people are not allowed to access the area between 10pm and 7am.
The permission states: “All stored caravans, trailers and motorhomes and any other associated paraphernalia and equipment brought on to the premises in connection with the use shall be removed in their entirety on expiry of the date.
“No vehicle movements shall take place on site between the hours of 10pm to 7am Monday to Sunday and Bank Holidays.”
How much would it be to store a tipper lorry and a transit luton van every month
Liam