Farm buildings in Uppingham could become self storage scheme

Plans for a commercial enterprise at a farm which were previously refused have been resubmitted as a self storage scheme.

In May Rutland County Council refused the planning application put forward to turn two agricultural buildings at Castle Hill Farm on Leicester Road, Uppingham into a commercial enterprise.

The refusal had been made due to a lack of detail about possible noise and the applicant has re-applied this month, this time outlining a new use for a self storage facility.

Plans show a proposal for 16 storage units located around the outside of the existing two buildings.

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A report drawn up by planning consultancy Class Q, aimed at addressing reasons put forward by planning officers in the previous refusal, says: "The existing agricultural buildings are used for the storage and drying of grain. Grain drying fans work tirelessly to circulate air at high volumes and, depending on their size and design, they can produce a significant amount of noise.

“As a storage function, the majority of visits to the proposed containers are likely to be relatively short, providing only for drop-offs or pick-ups. Although storage of larger or heavier items might increase noise generation, or prolong visits, in general use the restricted dimensions of the individual container openings would limit the ability for mechanised loading or unloading within them.

“Taken with the likely dispersed times of customers using the facility, the scale of the site and the limited number of units, intensive or extended activity over significant periods would be unlikely.

“Accounting for the relatively contained nature of the yard and activity which could continue unfettered if the site’s current use was continued, the proposed use would be unlikely to cause harm to the living conditions of nearby residential occupiers.”

Uppingham Town Council will discuss the application at its full council meeting on Wednesday (November 5). The council had objected to the previous application as it said there was ‘an absence of any detail’ about the use of the buildings. It also objected to the proximity to housing.