A cleared plot of land that once housed a historic paper mill in East Lancashire could be transformed into a major self-storage facility. A planning application has been submitted to Hyndburn Borough Council for the project.
Proposal for a Green Belt Site
The applicant, Greyfriars Assets Limited Society, aims to redevelop an acre of vacant land off Hermitage Street in Rishton. This site was formerly the location of Rishton Paper Mill and sits within the protected Green Belt, described as a ribbon of countryside on the approach to Clayton-le-Moors.
The proposal involves installing 134 self-storage units made from shipping containers. The supporting statement argues the site is "previously developed land" and that the scheme will provide necessary and economic storage space. It emphasises the development will be largely hidden by tree lining and shielded from the main route into Rishton.
Design and Location Details
The plan specifies that the 134 containers will run perpendicular to Hermitage Street (the A678). They will be served by individual service yards and car parking, with a small area of hardstanding for vehicle manoeuvres.
To blend with the environment, the containers will be painted in neutral green or beige colours, and the site fencing will also be green. The land is bounded to the north by Hermitage Street, which connects the residential areas of Rishton to the west and Clayton-le-Moors to the east.
Addressing Planning Concerns
The application directly addresses potential Green Belt policy concerns. It states the site is an isolated brownfield plot and does not contribute to preventing urban sprawl. Its redevelopment, the backers claim, would not cause the unchecked expansion of either Rishton or Clayton-le-Moors.
The statement highlights a local shortage of self-storage options and points out that the area is already an established cluster of employment and industrial uses. These existing uses, it argues, act as a physical buffer between the two settlements. The site has been fully cleared of structural debris and vegetation following the demolition of the old mill and warehouse.
The final decision now rests with Hyndburn Council's planning department, which will assess the proposal against local and national policies.
