Councillors have raised concerns over self-storage units installed on land off Scotland Road, part of the former Cooper Tires site.
Around 20 units have already been installed on the land and are being operated by Brant Storage for public use. A retrospective planning application for 72 units has since been submitted to Wiltshire Council.
Cllr Saffi Rabey said an application has now been submitted after Brant Storage did not realise planning permission was required.
The plans were discussed at Melksham Town Council’s Economic Development and Planning Committee meeting in December.
The land forms part of the former Cooper Tires site and is being leased from the current landowner, who purchased the whole site earlier this year. This section of land is not allocated for housing, and access is off Scotland Road.
During the meeting on 16th December, councillors shared strong concerns over access to the site, including lorries transporting containers through Scotland Road, which has largely on-street parking. Councillors said the development is ‘inappropriate’ for the location.
Cllr Rabey said she and Cllr Alford had been in discussions with Wiltshire Council and representatives from Brant Storage.
She raised concerns about how the site is being powered. She said lighting and CCTV for the units are being supplied from an adjoining property, with a cable being “thrown over an adjoining properties’ fence and plugged into the garage.”
Cllr Rabey also criticised how residents were informed before the units were moved on site, describing the notice as inadequate.
Cllr Phil Alford said he has asked for the application to be ‘called in’ if Wiltshire Council recommends it for approval, on the grounds that the area is largely residential and will be surrounded by residential properties once the adjoining site is redeveloped.
Wiltshire Council is expected to decide on the application by mid-February.
Melksham News contacted Brant Storage for a statement regarding the concerns raised.
To view the plans, visit Wiltshire Council’s planning portal and search reference PL/2025/09205.
Picture: Wiltshire Council
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