Self-storage and a Harrier jump jet may not sound like two things that complement one another, but in Portsmouth, England – a city located about 75 miles southwest of London – they're coming together in fine fashion and aircraft enthusiasts are excited!
The aircraft will be displayed upright at the in-development Vanguard self-storage facility which will extend along Mile End Road and just south of Herbert Street. Getting the city planning committee to agree to it wasn't easy. The company first tried to develop a naval ship-styled building in 2017 and were denied; the council said it wouldn't fit in with the surrounding area, and that the mock naval artillery gun on the roof would "excessively dominate" the area.
The initial Naval ship design
However, the aircraft plan has been approved and development is underway. "We are fortunate to have acquired one of the Navy’s last operational aircrafts," says Mike Lamplough, Vanguard’s head of property. "It’s in excellent condition, and we intend to display the Harrier as it was on the day it was retired from active service.”
The planning committee inquired if the Harrier, an aircraft capable of vertical/short takeoff and landing operations, would rotate in its display. Lamplough responded that this detail has yet to be finalized but expressed his enthusiasm for the idea of the aircraft spinning on an hourly rotation to provide onlookers with various views.
Vanguard is a family-owned business celebrating 60 years in the business. To learn more about them, visit https://www.vanguardstorage.co.uk/.