A giant storage building designed to look like a ship is set to sit at the 'gateway' to Ellesmere Port after plans were given the go ahead.
Cheshire West and Chester Council has approved an application to bulldoze a bungalow and industrial building on Myrtle Street and construct a five-storey self storage facility which would be visible from the M53.
The application was put forward by Mewbourne Properties LLP which said the facility had been designed in conjunction with planning officers to be a 'landmark' building at the gateway to Ellesmere Port.
A planning statement submitted in support of the plans, said: "The overall design and appearance of the building has been inspired by Ellesmere Port's maritime heritage. A number of design workshops took place with the urban design officer and the form, appearance and detailing is as a result of those meetings."
It said the building's design blended 'sleek industrial aesthetics with a modern twist'.
It added: "The metal clad façade, featuring fin detailing, evokes a ship's hull, paying homage to the dockside history. Large windows along the M53 create visual interest, reinforcing the building as a gateway."
It said: "A rust-toned cladding contrasts with dark grey panels at lower levels near the loading areas, complementing the local red-brick architecture. The fins extend, dividing the façade into bays and echoing the industrial loading yard aesthetic."
The building will have an overall footprint of 915 sq m, which had been reduced from the earlier application. The number of storeys had also been reduced from six.
The application said: "The building's five-storey height and massing create a strong visual presence along the M53, leveraging its role as a gateway into Ellesmere Port."
It concluded: "Designed to balance the area's industrial scale with neighbouring residential properties, the building's sloping edges, and articulated massing reduce its visual impact."
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