Convenience store and petrol station approved

A former car showroom on the outskirts of Preston is to be converted into a convenience store and petrol station – in spite of objections from dozens of locals.

The old Browns Mitsubishi site on Preston Road in Grimsargh will become home to a Spar shop and Shell forecourt after the overhaul was given the green light by Preston City Council’s planning committee.

Forty-three households attempted to block the change, branding it, variously, “unnecessary and unwanted” – and warning of its impact on the local road network and nearby residents.   Grimsargh Parish Council objected on similar grounds.

Highways bosses at Lancashire County Council also initially opposed the redevelopment of the site, because of concerns over the access point and its capacity to handle HGVs – but the authority said amendments to the proposal had addressed the issues.

A local resident told the committee meeting that the layout of the site – which will have 22 parking spaces and two double-side petrol pumps – would mean delivery vehicles would have to reverse over an on-site pedestrian crossing.

Explaining that the removal of trees bordering the plot would also result in an “immediate loss of privacy” for those living nearby, he added:  “The proposal remains unsafe, poorly designed and harmful to residential amenity.”

Committee member Cllr Freddie Bailey said he could not understand why it was necessary to “get rid” of the tall trees that currently stand between the site and an estate on Landgen Fold. He added that their replacement with a two-metre high fence was a substandard substitute, stating that the loss of the greenery was “a poor balance”.

His committee colleague, Cllr Ben Ward, asked whether the retention of the trees would be a “major stumbling block” for the applicant, Preston-based James Hall Company, which owns 150 Spar stores across the North.

Nicola Roe, acting as the agent for the application, said the impact of the proposed works on the trees’ roots would need to be investigated before any commitment could be made.

Addressing traffic-related concerns, she said the originally-planned access to the site had been “widened and improved so that…movements can be made safely”.    She added that a banksman would be used to assist HGVs making deliveries.

Preston Rural East ward councillor Stephen Whittam said he was not against the scheme, but wanted it done “in the right way”.  He also warned that it would inevitably generate more traffic than the showroom it is to replace.

However, Ms. Roe said 90 percent of the trips to the site would be from vehicles already on the road network. Figures in a report presented to the committee estimated there would be additional 65-70 two-way journeys in the morning and evening weekday peak hours as a result of the new facilities.

Committee member Harry Landless said that while he could see why residents would object to the plans, it would be difficult for the city council to oppose them on highways grounds, because county council highways officials had said there was “no problem”.

The meeting also heard that the site had been a petrol station in the past – most recently thought to be in the 1990s  – and so had demonstrated it could operate as such.

The application was approved by a majority.  Shortly before the vote Cllr Ward said he hoped Spar would “work with the local residents” to address their outstanding concerns.