AN AILING buildings merchants and farm supply business could be converted into homes if new plans are approved.
The owners of West Tees Works, in Ramshaw, say the business is no longer viable after years of decline and now want to demolish the warehouse and replace it with 16 terraced homes.
Owners Julie Wallace and Paul Ridley already have a positive response to a preplanning enquiry to put up two terraces on the site that lies to the north of the village, along the banks of Gordon beck.
If approved the terraces will consist of three-bed houses.
The owners said: “We have run our business from West Tees Works since 2007. When we bought the premises we had plans to upgrade the facilities that were here and to grow our business considerably.
“Despite a lot of hard work from family members and employees, these plans have not completely come to fruition. The recession in 2008 caused us many problems, and as a consequence we have tried to make money not only from the sale of building materials, but also from farm supplies, road haulage and steel fabrication work.”
They added that the main problems were the business’ location and the condition of the facilities.
The lack of three-phase electricity and the prohibitive cost of having it installed were given as reasons why the warehouse could not be demolished and rebuilt, the owners said.
“This is the only warehouse in Ramshaw, and is very much situated in the middle of a residential area. It is a real concern for us and for our neighbours as to the future of West Tees Works.”
A survey of the banks of Gordon beck at the site found that there was little otter activity or kingfisher nest in the area, although the area was found to be in a flood-zone.
The survey read: “No tracks, runs, slides or feeding remains were noted and no holts or laying up areas were identified. The remnants of a single, old spraint were noted approximately 90m upstream of the site. No suitable habitat for nesting kingfisher was noted along the bank-side and no evidence of previously nesting kingfisher was recorded.”
The planning agent said the houses would be located outside the flood zone and two access points would offer an alternative exit from the site should flooding occur on the road.
