A ROSS retailer’s plan to set up a self-storage facility has taken a step closer, as the company feels the pinch from other outlets.

RL (UK), which operates the Labels outlet, recently sought outline planning permission to install 62 shipping containers, on vacant neighbouring land.

The retailer states that it is facing pressure from other outlets in Gloucestershire and this storage facility on adjoining land will improve the liquidity of the business at lower trading levels and help to preserve jobs.

The application said that there is a strong commercial interest in building an electric vehicle charging station on the adjoining land, it added.

The planned containers, each six metres long and 2.6 metres tall, would be “placed directly on the ground without physical attachment or engineering works” and would not be stacked and would be painted an inconspicuous colour, likely grey or charcoal.

For both business and personal storage, the units would be accessible between 6am and 9pm.

Brampton Abbotts & Foy Parish Council said it had considerable concerns over noise and light pollution, a concern which the council said was not theoretical, as residents are already experience ‘life-impacting’ light pollution from businesses in the area.

Herefordshire Council’s ecology officer called for lighting to be restricted in the proposed area.

Planning officer Joshua Evans concluded that, with no issues over highways or drainage, the proposal represented sustainable development and would contribute to economic growth, local business support, and rural diversification.

He added: “The storage units that would contribute to economic growth, local business support, and rural diversification of an established business.

“The scale, form and siting of the development are appropriate to the site's context and are not considered to result in unacceptable visual, landscape or design impacts.

An application setting out the details of the new facility must now be submitted and approved by Herefordshire planners.