Wartime huts to be replaced by storage building

A Hereford firm has been given the go-ahead for a new commercial building in place of buildings dating from the Second World War.

Property developer Sigeric applied in September to build the new structure, for “storage use with ancillary office space”, in Chapel Road within the Rotherwas enterprise zone.

With an internal space of 1,815 square metres, the simple grey metal-clad building was to have three roller doors facing the road, accompanying plans show.

The existing site is occupied by four Nissen huts, currently used by a vehicle repair firm.

Under the way the enterprise zone is set up, bids to develop individual plots do not require full planning permission. Applicants simply have to meet requirements of the local development order (LDO) covering the area on transport, drainage, contamination and landscape, and public comments are not accepted.

Planning officer Heather Carlisle said she “assumed” the wartime buildings would be demolished – which she considered acceptable as there was no requirement in the LDO to preserve them.

Sigeric’s application was found to comply with the LDO. But it was given a list of 17 wide-ranging conditions to meet, as according to Ms Carlisle, “the information provided is currently not sufficient to discharge all of these conditions”.