A self-storage facility chain has been granted permission by the council to open a new venue in Norbiton.

Safestore's application, which is for Manorgate Road in Norbiton, sought permission for the "Demolition of existing units and redevelopment of the site to provide a Class B8 self-storage facility alongside access, car parking, landscaping and associated works Revisions: Design amendments and updated technical reports to reflect changes".

The proposal involves the demolition of three existing buildings on site, with a floorspace of 1,727 sqm. The proposed self-storage facility is equivalent to a four-level building and would have an eaves height of 10.8m and a maximum height of 12.3metres.

The proposed self-storage building has a hexagonal footprint and a recessed upper level, which would be stepped-in at roof level by 2.5 metres along the north and east elevations and 5.0 metres along the west elevation.

The building would be primarily constructed in buff coloured brickwork, with sawtooth aluminium metal screen cladding to the top element. It is proposed that the self-storage facility would be operated by Safestore, however the permission, if granted, could be open to any operator.

The building would be used as a self-storage facility and includes a front reception and kitchen, Plant room, a WC, two stair wells and a lift. The ground floor would have a floor area of 1,937 sqm GIA. 

The Planning Statement states that this is the "quantum of floorspace"; however, the space is also 'future proofed' to accommodate potential future mezzanines in response to potential demand.

Such additions would represent internal alterations that do not constitute 'development' as defined in Section 55(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Should these mezzanine floors be installed, the development would offer 7,432 sqm of B8 floorspace". 

Drawing of the proposed site (Credit: Safestore provided in Kingston Council Planning Application documents)

The proposed hours of operation for the storage facility would be between: 

• 8am - 6pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 
• 8am - 8pm on Thursdays,
• 10 am - 4pm on Sundays. 

While Kingston Council approved the application, the approval is subject to several recommendations, including changes to the proposed sites "overwhelming scale, mass & height".

The application site is an existing employment site located in Manorgate Road. It is located within a mixed-use area, although the site is predominantly surrounded by residential uses. The Park Road Conservation area bounds the site to the North and West, and to the south along the railway embankment.

The site is an irregular shape, approximately 0.33ha in area.

It comprises 3 x two storey buildings, partly vacant or on short let. The site was previously occupied by Minatol, a cleaning products supplier who vacated in 2019. Since Minatol vacated, the site has been occupied by two businesses (Just Clear and Move U2) on short term let as meanwhile uses following the refusal of the Lidl planning application in 2019.  

Parking and access is currently from Manorgate Road. There is an existing parking area for approximately 20 car parking spaces.

The site has a good public transport accessibility level, PTAL 4. The site is located within a controlled parking area. Within close proximity to the east of site's entrance, Manorgate Road becomes a Home Zone which promotes a reduction in car speed with planting and public realm treatments.

The site is located approximately 60m from the roundabout junction with Kingston Hill, Park Road, Clifton Road, London Road and Manorgate Road. A public footpath runs along the southern boundary of the site, linking Coombe Road/ Norbiton Station with Burnham Street. 

The Park Road Conservation area bounds the site to the North and West, and to the south along the railway embankment. The site is within an area of mixed use, with residential flats and houses surrounding it.

It is sited within 300m of both the Kingston Hill/Park Road Local Centre and the Coombe Road Local Centre, which lie to the north and south of the site respectively. 

CGI arial view of the proposed site (Credit: Safestore provided in Kingston Council Planning Application documents)

Speaking about the application approval, Planning Potential, which is working with Safestore on the project, said: "The scheme transforms an underutilised site allocated within the Local Plan for employment uses into a modern self-storage facility to meet the growing demand for flexible storage in London.

"The proposals followed a previous retail scheme on the site which was refused due to highway impacts associated with more intensive use of the site.

"Early engagement with Officers, Kingston's Design Review Panel and the local community was key to shaping a scheme that responds to the constrained nature of the site and previous reasons for refusal.

"During initial pre-application discussions, Officers raised concerns with the scheme's design being within the setting of a Conservation Area, and its compatibility with neighbouring residential properties.

"In response, Planning Potential coordinated a collaborative approach with the scheme architect and technical consultants (including Heritage Potential) to demonstrate that the scheme would not negatively impact on the amenity of surrounding residents or adjacent Conservation Area.

"A bespoke design was promoted to deliver a high-quality building that enhances the streetscape, with justification set out for self-storage providing a low intensity use compatible within the site's residential surroundings."

It added: "The planning case demonstrated compliance with local policy, highlighting the economic and practical benefits of self-storage for both residents and local businesses, as well as the regenerative benefits of redeveloping an underutilised site to make more efficient use of brownfield land.

"Through proactive dialogue with Officers, Planning Potential addressed all policy and design considerations, ensuring the scheme was supported by officers and the community.

"Planning Potential coordinated the preparation of the planning application and managed the consultant team throughout, ensuring that issues raised by Officers and consultees were responded to swiftly.

"The robust approach adopted to address initial concerns raised at pre-application stage provided Officers with the comfort to recommend the application for approval, which was unanimously supported by Members at committee."

You can view the full planning application here.