It is the view of the local planning authority that the proposal could lead to an intensification in the use of a substandard access onto a classified road. The applicant has not demonstrated that there is adequate parking and turning facilities within the site to cater for the proposed uses, and this could therefore lead to parking within the adjacent highway and/or vehicles reversing out of the access, creating dangers for highway users to the detriment of highway safety. The proposal therefore conflicts with Policies TR/6 and E/7 of the Borough of Charnwood Local Plan.

The premises are located opposite residential property on Humberstone Lane. The uses of the site have been operating, without planning permission, for over six months and it is apparent during this time that disturbance has been caused to residential amenity through commercial vehicles accessing the site at unsocial hours and fumes arising from paint and bonfires. Such activity is, in the opinion of the local planning authority, severely detrimental to residential amenity and contrary to the provisions of Policies E/7 and EV/39 of the Borough of Charnwood Local Plan.

The uses involve outside storage areas and, in the absence of suitable landscaping and screening, the appearance of these is severely detrimental to the character and appearance of the street scene of this partly residential locality, contrary to the provisions of Policies EV/20 and E/7 of the Borough of Charnwood Local Plan. Notes to Applicant: 1. The County Highway Authority has no objections in principle to the use of the site as described in the application, but would wish to see a proposal which clearly provided adequate car parking for staff and visitors and suitable areas for delivery vehicles. In addition, the vehicular access from Humberstone Lane is sub-standard and the highway authority would wish to see a proposal which included improved radii, width, visibility and surfacing of the access. 2. The concerns expressed in the second and third reasons could be overcome through the imposition of conditions and the provision and implementation of a suitably designed landscaping and screening proposal. 3. In view of the fact that the uses have commenced on the site without the benefit of planning permission, a revised scheme which details the requirements of the highway authority in full and, also, meets the further concerns should be submitted by the end of January 2007. Failure to submit a valid scheme within that time will result in formal enforcement proceedings being considered to secure the cessation of the various uses within the site.