Durham County Council has approved plans to transform a hardware store into three new warehouse units in Consett, enhancing local business opportunities.
Consett: The Durham County Council has given the thumbs up for a new warehouse project at Bescol Ltd on Delves Lane. They’re planning to split the current hardware store into three separate units.
These new spaces will be used for general industrial purposes and storage, but no vehicle repairs allowed. It’s a smart move to keep the property viable for the long haul.
The units will be sized at about 87, 175, and 139 square meters, and they’ll keep the existing 12 parking spots. It’s in a mixed-use area, so it’s close to both commercial and residential spots, plus it’s easy to get to by public transport.
Good news is that the site meets the County Durham Parking and Accessibility Standards and is in a low flood risk zone. They’ll keep the current drainage system, too.
There won’t be major changes to the building, just a couple of fire doors and some internal tweaks to fit the new uses. The plans were submitted by Bescol Ltd through DPP Planning, and surprisingly, no objections came from the Highways Authority or Environmental Health.
During the public consultation, they reached out to 67 neighbors, and guess what? No one had any complaints or concerns. A few conditions come with the approval, though.
The development needs to kick off within three years from January 22, 2025. The units can only be used for the approved purposes, and they can’t do vehicle repairs or distribution.
They’ll also have to stick to operating hours from 8 am to 6 pm every day, and the parking spots must stay as they are. If they want new signage, they might need separate consent for that.
Since the project was submitted before April 1, 2024, it’s exempt from the Biodiversity Net Gain requirement. The council considered the property’s viability, its impact on the area, and how it could boost local economic development.
With the nearest residential building being 30 meters away and no objections raised, it looks like this development is set to encourage the reuse of land while supporting local business.
