Transport Statement for the Proposed Change of Use of Crop Stores to B8 Storage & Distribution Units.

Berrys provided a Transport Statement to support an application for the proposed change of use of two agricultural crop stores to B8 storage and distribution units. The buildings were no longer required for their original purpose and as such, we assisted our client to secure an alternative use for commercial storage in conjunction with their existing established warehousing local business. 

How We Approached The Transport Statement:

Having undertaken a site visit to assess the site and the adjoining highway network, we carried out a swept path assessment of HGV movements within the service yard and access in addition to an access visibility splay assessment. This demonstrated that the existing site access and service yard were of appropriate geometry to accommodate HGV movements associated with the proposed B8 use class.  

Our assessment of the site and the adjoining highway network included an overview of the sustainability of the site location in accordance with the requirements of the NPPF, HGV routing to the strategic network, local traffic count data and road safety. 

The existing crop store buildings were previously used for the storage of up to 3000 tonnes of onions, the production of which would cease as a result of the change of use. We worked closely with the client to understand how this existing agricultural function translated to baseline traffic movements, as well as the movements associated with the proposed use in conjunction with their existing established local business.  

Our assessment of the development traffic compared with the existing use demonstrated that the proposal would attract a generally lighter profile of vehicle movements, with an overall reduction in the weekly number of movements to the site. We were therefore able to present to the local highway authority that the proposed change of use could be safely accommodated without detriment to the operational capacity or safety of the adjoining highway network. This meant that our client achieved an expedient planning consent and achieved their business objectives.