West Suffolk Council applies for planning permission to transform baling shed at its former Olding Road depot, in Bury St Edmunds

Plans to transform a dilapidated industrial building on a key Bury St Edmunds site have been submitted.

West Suffolk Council has asked for permission to make alterations to the baling shed at its Olding Road depot, with the plans including the demolition of external structures, recladding of the shed, replacement perimeter fencing and two roller shutter doors.

A planning statement said a damaged plinth would be replaced, while existing services to the building would be stripped out.

The baling shed application is part part of wider £7 million scheme to redevelop the former council depot and NHS Supplies building, which was approved by full council in July.

The scheme followed the council’s September 2023 decision to abandon the Western Way development, of which the baling shed would have been a part.

In July, it was revealed the council was picking up a £300,000 bill in holding costs for the site, including security.

At that time it was also said provisional proposals for a trampoline and virtual reality experience within the former depot had been received, with the remaining site marketed for permitted employment uses and/or a storage and distribution use, while the baling shed would be retained and refurbished for council storage use.

This new planning application relates to the 1,296sqm baling shed site.