Applicant Planning Justification
Information Relevant To The Application
Over recent years St Johns Steel Services have expanded their operations and invested in new fabrication equipment, including computer software to produce fabrication details, but have not increased the size of their premises. With each new purchase the additional equipment has been 'squeezed in' to the space available within the existing building.
To provide better office facilities two Portacabins have been erected, one above the other. Materials used in the fabrication process are having to be stored out in the open to provide space in the workshop for the new equipment. As can be seen from the photographs this gives the premises an untidy and unsightly appearance when viewed from the road.
This application is being submitted with the object of providing more space for the current operations, not to accommodate a planned expansion of operations resulting in an increase in traffic flows into the site.
The proposals will provide improved working conditions for the occupants, with equipment being positioned to allow operations to be carried out more effectively. Materials will be stored within the new building protecting them from deterioration due to exposure to the elements.
It is intended that the new structure be erected around the existing workshop so that St Johns Steel services can carry on with their work whilst construction of the extension takes place, in fact the elements of the new structure will be fabricated in the existing workshop.
The proposed extension will not extend further towards the road than the gable of the adjacent property or be any higher than the adjacent property. All the materials will be stored within the building, and the Portacabins removed, giving a tidy and more pleasing appearance when viewed from the road, with the area between the building and the road being made available for vehicle parking and the manoeuvring of wagons.
Once approval is granted for the proposed scheme the design for the supporting structure to the new building will involve undertaking excavations to ascertain the load bearing capacity of the ground. It is proposed that a geochemical survey be carried out at that time, the applicants being concerned about having to pay for a geochemical survey but not subsequently gaining approval for their proposals.
The floor within the proposed extension will be covered with a concrete slab which will act to seal in any contaminated soil. Any contaminated soil encountered in excavating for the foundations, or hazardous materials such as asbestos, will be removed to an approved landfill site and dealt with in accordance with D.L.G.E. procedures.
