New industrial units could be added to the Love Lane Industrial Estate near Cirencester if recently-lodged plans are approved by Cotswold District Council.

An application for four new industrial units, as well as a new storeroom and café has been made by Cyril Austin and Sons Ltd, the company behind the Austin's Country Store and the Solid Fuel Centre.

Documents submitted to the council say that the new units will utilise space in prime industrial land that is no longer being used due to the changing needs of the Firewood and Solid Fuel Centre.

Currently occupying 0.35 hectares, with the current buildings occupying more than 1,000 square metres of floor space.

But with the current business concentrating on 'greener' fuels there is no longer the need for huge storage spaces for firewood, so they are looking to utilise the free space.

The application says: "The site fronts onto the western side of Love Lane and comprises a hard-surfaced yard and parking area set around a large detached block-built building.

"As a consequence of the gradual evolution in the retail operation, there has been an overall reduction in the area of external storage needed to support it.

"Consequently, a significant proportion of the yard area is now underused, resulting in the need to consider ways of making more effective use of the site a

s a means of ensuring the long-term viability and overall competitiveness of the business."

The four units and storage area will be new builds to the rear of the existing site, while an extension to the existing warehouse building will allow for a new café to be added to the Austins store.

An existing warehouse on the site will be removed to allow for better access to the new units, while the number of parking spaces will be increased from 12 to 38.

According to the application, four new full-time jobs will be created w

hile the scheme will also deliver two new part-time positions taking the number employed on site from 10 to 16.

The application adds: "Overall, it is clear that the comprehensive proposals for the site as a whole have been carefully conceived and designed to sensitively support and sustain a long-established business that would then continue to make a positive contribution to the vitality of the town."

The plans are now open to public consultation, with the standard consultation due to end on Christmas Day and a decision expected to be made early in 2020.