Refused gas station plans on site where factory burned down

Plans for a new gas station in Bishop Burton were turned down by East Riding advisers.

The Eastern Region Planning Subcommittee of the East Riding Council turned down plans for the station at the site of a factory in Killingwoldgaves Lane that burned down in 2009.

Read more: ‘Sigh of relief’ as plans for two fast food restaurants turned down

Lovel Capital Projects agent Jason Tait told advisers the lighting would be changed to avoid disrupting nearby farms and that his 187m² store was not “substantially different” from the approved 160m².

But objector Mark Hoddinott told the committee the 24-hour station could become a shopping destination, threatening village stores that were a “lifeline” for residents during the coronavirus pandemic.

Cllr Bernard Gateshill, from the rural Beverley district which covers the site, said the total retail area would be 54m² larger when a planned coffee and food concession was also included.

To subscribe to the Hull Live newsletter, Click here.

Plans for the station include 16 parking spaces, two electric vehicle charging points, the store selling food, drinks, newspapers and similar items, as well as up to eight gas pumps. The committee heard an appeal against its previous denial of the standby matters request, covering details of the site, which is still pending.

Council officials and government agencies consulted about the request raised no objections, but Bishop Burton’s Parish Council requested that it be refused due to the competition at local stores.

Mr Tait said the developer was aware that some were still trying to “resist” the request despite its blanket or initial approval.

The agent said: “The store has facilities at the back of the house including a washroom, counter and a coffee concession, it is not much different from the 160m² already approved.

Find planning apps near you

“The landscaping has been significantly increased for the neighboring farm, a clear recommendation from council officials to approve the application remains.

“Road officials raised no objections and none were received from conservation officials or others consulted.”

Mr Hoddinott said the resort’s impact on nearby stores could not be “overstated”.

Watch to learn more about the planning system:

The objector said: “Shops in villages near the site accept passing commerce, as well as serving the local community and students at neighboring Bishop Burton College.

“During the pandemic, stores took control of local residents who couldn’t leave their homes because they were protecting or self-isolating.

“If the stores close, the post office will close too, other facilities will also be lost.

“The station store would be open 24 hours a day, restrictions would have to be applied to its hours if approved.”

Cllr Gateshill said the previous request for reservations was denied in April in part because the store building was “too big”.

The ward member said, “The plans are an attempt to divide the store area in half and pretend one is a store and the other is not.

“The stake is not the principle of a shop, it is the scale.

Committee member Cllr Denis Healy said he believed competition was not an issue as villagers would continue to use their local stores if they wanted to support them.

Cllr Healy said, “This is not a destination store, it is a passing trade store.

“I would have thought that if someone lived in one of the villages where they would prefer to walk to their local stores, I don’t see why something a car driving car would interfere with that.”