New business unit set to be built on derelict Yale Lock site in Willenhall
A derelict site which was once part of Willenhall’s proud lock industry heritage will have a storage business built on it.
Up to 26 new jobs will be created once the Storage Giant warehouse is constructed on land between Wood Street and Lower Lichfield Street.
Walsall Council’s planning committee unanimously gave the thumbs up to the plans without debate at a meeting.
The fenced-off space, now overgrown and disused, was once the site of Yale Lock Works which was closed and the factory demolished around 15 years ago.
The new 1,761 sq m warehouse will feature start-up business suites, landscaping and parking. The building will be just over 41 metres long, 28 metres wide and 15.2 metres in height. A smaller storage building will also be constructed.
Concerns were raised by two neighbours about the potential impact the larger building would have on their view and light as well as parking and traffic issues the scheme might cause.
But planning officers said the buildings were at a suitable enough distance not to be impacted in terms of light while highways were supportive of the scheme.
In their application, Storage Giant’s agents Oxford Architects said: “This application seeks to gain approval for the construction of a new storage facility with ancillary office space, associated car parking and external drive-up storage units in the Willenhall District Centre.
“The proposal is in keeping with local policy to improve employment within the area through this development and will take a site that is currently vacant to a new use.
“The proposal will bring employment opportunities through the incubation/office units and provide a solution for often cash-short start-up and small businesses as well as providing storage solutions for local businesses and home-owners.
“The proposed layout, scale and appearance will bring the modern industrial building and deliver additional greenery to the site.
“The proposal seeks to reuse existing site access points and located off the lower Lichfield Street making it an ideal location for commercial and domestic access.
“It is believed that the works comply with planning policy and should be granted planning permission.”
