A farm in Summercourt proposes to diversify and become a hub for self-storage containers.

George Richards Farms has submitted a planning application to site 18 containers, with the continued use of two more, on land at Higher Trefullock Farm.

Each existing container, and each proposed container will be of standard 20 ft long x 8 ft wide x 8.6 ft high dimensions. All containers will be of a standard dark green finish.

Lodge and Thomas, on behalf of the applicant, said: “The progressive family business includes well-established traditional cattle, sheep and arable enterprises. For reasons of continued viability and succession planning, the family are now looking to further diversify the holding.

“The proposed site is an area of agriculturally unproductive and redundant land. 

“The containers at the site will solely be for self-storage purposes. The site will be commercially operated, with containers rented out to customers on a rolling month to-month basis.

“The Richards family will manage the enterprise themselves, and will be responsible for collecting monthly rents, promoting and maintaining the site etc. As a family of progressive and proactive farmers, the establishment of the enterprise is evidently achievable and is anticipated to be relatively hassle-free. 

“Once up and running, the self-storage business at the currently redundant site will create a dependable, recurring income for the family farm business.

“The self-storage container site at this accessible location is anticipated to appeal to a wide range of people. Fundamentally, the site will appeal to those who lack sufficient storage at home or those who lack sufficient storage space for their business-related items.

“For example, the site will appeal to those who may live in rented accommodation that also require private storage space for larger items such as bikes, kayaks and surfboards.

“The site will also appeal to those who are in the process of moving house and require temporary storage space for furniture. The site will also appeal to business owners who require additional storage space for tools and equipment, for example, a carpenter may require dry storage space for sawn timber.

“We feel that this application should be supported and planning permission granted.”