PLANS for a storage container at a Rainford church in a location which will cause the “least possible impact” have been submitted.

An application proposing the siting of the container at All Saints Church, on Church Road, is currently “awaiting decision”.

A supporting statement has also been submitted.

It says: “Over the past 20 years All Saints Church has been able to afford to pay an external outside contractor for the maintenance of the graveyard, church field (rear of All Saints Church) and associated areas.

“However, over the past five years there has been a dramatic reduction in income which has been heightened by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“This has resulted in the fact that the church can no longer afford to pay a third-party contractor, thus it has taken the decision to take the maintenance and upkeep in house and look to volunteers to carry out these ongoing works.

“The church does not receive any money from outside to assist in the maintenance and therefore the money to maintain is solely provided by the current parishioners.

“When the church used a third-party contractor there was no necessity to store any equipment however, as this is been taken in house there is now a need for appropriate storage.”

The supporting statement states that the church currently has no other suitable storage solution for such equipment and cannot afford to build a different structure and, therefore, a shipping container is a “cheaper alternative and within the budget” of All Saints Church.

'Storage needs'

It adds: “The shipping container would need to be a permanent facility until such time the church can afford to build a suitable permanent structure.

“The container is deemed suitable secure store to house expensive gardening equipment such as the ride on mowers which is being donated to the church.

“The shipping container will be well maintained at all times. The location has been chosen as to cause the least possible impact.

“Without this facility the church will not be able to carry out the maintenance of the graveyard which will have a detrimental impact on the area and the local community.”