PLANS to redevelop spare land near Sankey Station by creating a self storage facility have been rejected.

Planning officers threw out the proposals, which would have seen shipping containers installed on the 7731-square metre site, after 16 letters of objection were received.

The narrow strip of land runs parallel with the station platform for trains heading to Manchester and Warrington.

Despite being vacant for a number of years, residents have long feared that the land would be developed after it was sold in 2017.

Planning documents state that the site would have been accessed by a new road from Station Road, with an internal access road also forming part of the application.

They go on to say how the site would have provided self-storage for local businesses and individuals, created at least two jobs and had a ‘minimal’ visual impact.

Despite this, the application was slammed by residents, Great Sankey Parish Council and Kevin Jackson, principal engineer for the council’s transport development control.

Concerns raised included traffic disruption and highways safety, the environmental impact from cutting down trees and the visual impact of installing shipping containers on the site.

In his objection, Mr Jackson said: “The transport survey does not consider pedestrian visibility at all, however Warrington Borough Council considers it paramount, especially adjacent to a train station access.”

He added: “There is insufficient space for two-way access, including pedestrian provision and adequate visibility splays.”

Another objector said: “The land has only just started to recover from an act of vandalism that was inflicted when the previous application was made.

“Beautiful trees which had stood for decades were ruthlessly chopped back and the ground vegetation decimated. The area was an eyesore until nature gradually took it back.”

In its reasons for refusal, Warrington Borough Council said that the proposed development would have had a ‘significant’ impact on vehicular and pedestrian highway safety.

It also said that aesthetically poor steel shipping containers on site would be harmful to the visual amenity and character of the area.