Expansion plans by Enterprise-Rent-A-Car in Southport have won the go ahead from Sefton Council.
The support from the local authority will lead to substantial investment of up to £750,000 by the firm and new jobs created.
The global vehicle rental company has submitted a planning application to take over the whole of the site previously used by Norwood Car Sales Ltd at 170 Norwood Road in Southport.
Enterprise-Rent-A-Car has operated from part of the site in the past but will now enhance its offering to local motorists.
In a report, Seftopn’s Planning team said: “The new shop front would improve the appearance of the building, making a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the area.
“The overall design and appearance of the proposal are acceptable.
“The site has been in use for a mix of vehicle rental and car sales for many years. The proposals to use all the site for vehicle rental purposes would be similar in character and nature and would not create any significant additional noise or disturbance.
“The proposed opening hours on the application form are 8am-6pm Monday to Friday and 9am-1pm Saturday. The existing planning permission has a condition for similar hours, albeit slightly extended on a Saturday from 8am-1pm. It is recommended that the same hours condition is attached to this permission.
“The site is to have 33 parking bays, comprising 23 car spaces, 8 van spaces and 2 car club bays. The rental fleet will consist of 180 vehicles, the applicant has stated that the proposed quantum of parking is based on Enterprise’s operational requirements with the proposed number vehicles and spaces proportionally reflecting the existing situation.
“For the majority of the time vehicles that are ‘based’ at the site will actually be out on hire and therefore not occupying spaces.
“The applicant also notes that if demand drops at the site, the unused vehicles would be distributed to other locations where demand is higher. They also note that a significant majority of customers use a pickup and drop off service so do not visit the site. The site also has good accessibility to public transport. Therefore, the proposed number of car parking spaces is considered to be sufficient.”
The scheme will see improvements to the ‘shopfront’, the implementation of a wash bay, the addition of car parking and vehicle storage, and new signage.
The number of parking spaces will be increased from zero to 24 for cars and zero to 8 for vans, while employees would increase from 6 to 8.
Benefits of the scheme will include: the regeneration of an underutilised site; a modern, active and commercially viable use; investment to secure the site’s long term future; and employment generation.
It will also support flexible provision of alternative sustainable transport modes for the benefit of local residents and businesses – sustainable vehicles by the hour or day; a modern, evolving fleet keeping pace with environmental technology; and reducing local parking pressure and air quality concerns by promoting a reduction in private vehicle ownership.
In a submission to Sefton Council, Emma Rawson Senior Planner at consultants Planning Prospects said: “There are significant and tangible benefits associated with Enterprise’s proposed development to extend the existing branch, through utilising an underutilised brownfield site into a viable active and employment generating use, that will positively contribute towards the local area.”
The statement added: “Enterprise’s proposals here represent significant investment by the company at this otherwise vacant site following the relocation of the previous occupier.
“To put their investment into context, a new branch typically requires investment of between £500,000 and £750,000 initially to deliver the site ready for occupation, on top of investment in supporting supply chains and service providers and continued investment arising from continued and improved operational use at the site.
“Additionally, investment in the local area generally by Enterprise’s employees and customers, for example, will be generated throughout Enterprise’s occupation and operational lifespan. “Enterprise’s proposed use is employment generating, the current branch employs 6 full time employees, the expansion will allow for a further 2 full time employees. Additional jobs will be created, and sustained, in supporting services and industries also.
“The application site includes the existing Enterprise branch which occupies approximately 40% of the site, with Norwood Car Sales occupying the remaining 60%. Enterprise has been operational on this Site in excess of 20 years. The car sales garage already has a car wash bay located in the rear section of the site. The existing car sales garage is relocating, in turn vacating the site, therefore Enterprise is sustainably expanding into the remainder.
“This application is being submitted on behalf of Enterprise Rent-A-Car UK Ltd, a global vehicle rental company. Enterprise is one of the largest transportation solution providers in the world offering customers local and airport car rentals, car sharing, exotic car hire and van hire, along with a Flex-E-Rent service, providing business solutions for specialised vehicle needs, for example, temperature-controlled vans and accessible minibuses for example.
“The company operates in more than 9,500 locations across nearly 100 countries.”
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