PLANS have been lodged to bring the site of a former builders' merchants in Ellesmere Port back into use.

A proposal has been put forward to create six units for start-up businesses within the existing warehouse previously occupied by Travis Perkins.

The change of use application has been submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council by the Coronation Road site owners MACS Property Construction Limited.

Travis Perkins, which also owns Toolstation and Wickes, closed its Ellesmere Port branch last summer.

The planning application, which has been prepared by Savills on behalf of the Liverpool-based applicant, says the proposal would bring a vacant premises back into use and create employment opportunities.

It states: "The application seeks planning permission to bring an existing warehouse building back into use.

"The proposal proposes works that will attract occupiers to the floorspace to meet market requirements for start-up units for small enterprises.

"The development is therefore a positive economic proposal that will provide a base for employment growth in start-up businesses in the town.

"The proposal will bring back into effective economic use a vacant and brownfield site in Ellesmere Port.

"The development will create employment and potentially creates an opportunity for employment for a larger number of local residents as businesses grow and expand.

"The site is in a well-related location in the urban area of the town to benefit from attracting employment from the local labour market."

Each business unit will include both an access door and roller shutter door, while 18 parking spaces will be provided with six of those being disabled spaces.

As part of the proposed external works, there would be new grey cladding on the roof and upper side elevations with exposed cleaned and painted brickwork at lower elevation levels.

A new steel roof with lights would also be fitted.