Land North West and South East of Imperial Road, Heysham
Where is the site?
The site is an irregular-shaped parcel of circa 25.31 ha which is located off Imperial Road, Heysham.
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The site is approximately 2km south-east of Heysham, located off Imperial Road which runs through the centre of the site. Imperial Road connects to the A683 to the north which leads to the M6. Heysham Port and Power Station is to the east, also accessed by the A683.
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To the south, Imperial Road leads to Middleton Waste Transfer Station. The western part of the site is accessed by Middleton Road which forms the western boundary.
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​The site is bound by the A683 and roundabout to the north. Imperial Road to the north-east and open countryside to the south-east and Middleton Waste Transfer Station to the south. Middleton Road forms the south-western boundary which forms a crossroads with Main Avenue at the southern tip of the site.
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Middleton Road and Main Avenue serve existing employment locations including Middleton Business Park and Middleton Village to the south-east. To the west of the site is Borrans Lane and a small mobile home park called Trafford Park. Walney Onshore Substation / Ormonde Substation is located approximately 100m northwest.
The Trimpell Oil Refinery (established in the 1930s) covered the part of the site that is west of Imperial Road. The Trimpell site extended to a large area to the west, southwest and south of the site outside of the application boundary (See figure 1 below). The site was used by an oil depot associated with the Trimpell site. Associated with this former use, there are four 35m diameter cylindrical tanks at the centre of the site that formerly stored aviation fuel for RAF Spitfires during WWII.
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Railway lines and buildings were present to the east of the tanks and some smaller tanks that were present have since been demolished. Railway lines serving the site were removed by 1988 and buildings cleared by 2002. A former tarmac access road and areas of concrete related to the former use and railway, including a former railway platform still remain on site. The remainder of the site is largely covered with grass and vegetation and has been used for grazing horses. In the northernmost part of the site is low lying marshland and overhead high voltage power cables that run east-west.
Sustainable Location
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On a more local level, the site is sustainably located, with the services and facilities in Heysham and Middleton, within reach of the site by walking and cycling and also public transport options via bus services on Middleton Road.
In the locality are other mixed use residential, commercial and light industrial buildings. with established residential development located on Middleton Road.
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The site is in an accessible location by non-car modes, with bus stops available on Middleton Road (a pedestrian access will be provided to these stops from the site).
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Middleton Road also provides foot and cycle access to Middleton (to the south) and Heysham (to the north).
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On-site facilities to encourage non-car travel will be put forward within the Travel Plan accompanying the application. These will include measures such as cycle parking, e-bike charging, and shower and changing facilities.