Warehouse plans for vacant land

Storage Giant Ltd has submitted a proposal to Walsall Council to build a new facility on land between Wood Street, Lower Lichfield Street and Locksmith Close.

If approval is granted, the development would include a large self-storage warehouse, eight start-up business suites, external units and parking and landscaping.

In the application, the developers said the project would create a total of 26 full time jobs and one part time position.

The land has been unused for more than a decade and now has overgrown shrubs and trees on it. Yale Lock Works was previously on the site before that closed in 2010 with the buildings being demolished and site vacant ever since.

Agents Oxford Architects said: “The proposed scheme seeks to provide a mixed development which will deliver a 24-hour self-storage facility, ancillary office suites and external drive-up storage unit.

“The provision of small offices has been a successful model for Storage Giant and provides small incubation/business suites that can be used by start-up businesses or existing small businesses, who in turn use the storage space for merchandise and/or supplies.

“This business model has helped Storage Giant provide interconnected services that help small businesses, provides a wider appeal to clients, and provides multiple streams of income and future sustainability for Storage Giant.

“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 homeowners.

“The proposed layout, scale and appearance will bring the modern industrial building and deliver additional greenery to the site.”