THE council has decided on a planning application seeking permission to store dozens of shipping containers on the site of a former social club, which were met with strong opposition from residents.

Proposals were sent to the council earlier this year seeking planning permission to use the Moss Bank Sports and Social Club site on Queensway.

The application, submitted by Tariq Siddiq, of Northern Quarter Properties, asked for outline consent for the use of the land for container storage for a temporary period of five years.

This would comprise of 78 20’ freight containers at the location.

The proposals sparked numerous letters of objection from residents.

Concerns cited include traffic worries, potential dangerousness of the units, light and noise pollution.

One wrote: “I know this would be extremely bad for both all us residents and the area in general for many reasons.

“This is a quiet residential area not suitable for industrial units which will be full of dangers not to mention the type and number of extra vehicles this would bring to an area where children play.

“There is already an ongoing issue which is currently being looked into regards speeding and volume of traffic in Queensway and this would drastically add to this problem.”

They added: “So many containers undoubtedly means they will need to be stacked on top of each other which gives a danger element, security risk and light blocking.

“Since the old club was demolished we don’t have an issue with antisocial behaviour and I feel such a storage unit would attract this due to it being hidden away, even if the containers are empty they would be seen as a playground.”

Another wrote: “The site will highly disturb residents at all hours of the day we have a number of children and the site is at the rear of elderly residential property” and added the use would result in “a complete eyesore”.

Planning officer Gila Middleton recommended the application for refusal in a report.

The report said: “It is considered that the principle of introducing shipping container storage to a predominately residential area would be stark contrast to the defining character of the area”.

The report added the shipping containers would be stacked at an overall height of seven metres, which is “considered to be further confirmation on the inappropriate nature of the proposal in a defined residential area”.

It added: “It is considered that the proposal to store shipping containers on the site would appear at odds with the defining residential character of the area”.

The plans were refused permission.