Proposals to house 48 shipping containers at the St Ann’s Mills site in Kirkstall have been approved in principle – despite concerns by a local councillor.
Big MC’s Container Storage, off Kirkstall Road, had already sited 48 small (half-size) blue steel shipping containers on the northern, predominantly open part of the site, without the necessary planning permission.
Councillors on the plans south and west plans panel approved in principle a retrospective application to change of use of the land which hosts the containers, which are rented to members of the public for storage of personal items such as furniture. The final decision was delegated to the chief planning officer, subject to a number of planning conditions being put in place.
Kirkstall ward member Cllr John Illingworth had expressed concerns over the principle of the change of use of land and its lack of wider community benefits.
Burley flats plans
Plans to transform a 1920s building into 14 apartments off Cardigan Lane, Burley were also approved in principle, subject to a number of planning conditions being agreed.
Despite local concerns about the size of the development, permission was given for the extension and conversion of the existing former office building and its annex into 14 self-contained flats, comprising three one-bed flats, ten two-bed flats and a single four-bed unit in the existing basement.