A self-storage yard could be built on land intended for new homes in Runcorn.

Ince Digital Ltd has put forward an application to site up to 312 shipping containers on land at Halton Road which had been identified as a possible location for 89 new properties.

The site is located next to the Halton Court housing development, which consists of 119 properties developed by Magenta Living and Onward Homes.

The location for the proposed self-storage units is located on the southern side of Halton Road and currently unoccupied following the demolition for the former Paramount Foods building. The area was cleared in 2017 and then used by the housing redevelopment for construction management and storage space. The new proposals would see the storage containers double stacked to create up to 3,634 sq m of storage space.

A design statement submitted in support of the project, said: "Taking into account the unique opportunity presented by this scheme, the conclusion reached is that the proposed development will be beneficial for the site and the surrounding area in terms of the combined economic, social and environmental benefits it will bring."

The site itself had been identified as a possible location for new homes in Halton's planning strategy and there is a large retaining wall between the site and the residential properties to the south.

The application document added: "This proves that the site has exceeded its allocation. This would suggest that the site is at maximum capacity for residential development. Furthermore, the northern side of the residential development site is physically divided into two portions by a very large retaining wall."

It added: “The character of the surrounding area is commercial in nature. We can see along Halton Road that though there is some residential properties, the majority of this section of the road is characterized by commercial development. Opposite the site is a self-storage location, builder’s merchants and car washing."

The site would be open 24/7, for 365 days a year and if given the go ahead, there would be one full time and one part time member of staff.

No date has yet been set for a decision.