Gainsborough car storage facility ordered to close after unauthorised build

Summarised from Lincolnshire Live's report · Updated 15 Oct, 13:38 · Archive

A car and tyre storage facility built without planning permission in Gainsborough has been ordered to close on fire safety and visual impact grounds.

The Trinity Self Drive car and tyre storage facility on North Street in Gainsborough has lost a planning battle. The facility was built last year without permission and has operated since around Christmas 2025. West Lindsey District Council's planning committee unanimously refused planning permission on Wednesday, citing visual impact and safety grounds.

Residents have complained about the untidy appearance of the site, which includes shipping containers, half-built cars and hundreds of tyres. Fire safety concerns have been raised due to the large amounts of tyres stored there and uncertainty over whether petrol tanks from the site's former use as a petrol station have been removed. Councillor Jim Snee noted that such businesses are typically located on industrial estates due to fire risk. Planning officers said the applicant has not responded to their questions about the petrol tanks.

Counsellors acknowledged the decision would not be swift to implement. Nearby resident Cliff Haw said the facility was an eyesore on the town centre's main thoroughfare.

Read the report

• Owner of 'eyesore' Gainsborough site that was built without permission ordered to get rid of itResidents have raised fire safety concerns about the business, which is built on a former petrol stationLincolnshire Live · 15 Oct, 10:35

In this story: Trinity Self Drive · West Lindsey District Council · Gainsborough · North Street

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