A car wash business on the southern approach to Shepton Mallet will soon be replaced by a petrol station after new plans were approved.

Peveril Securites Ltd. applied in July 2021 to build a new petrol station between the A37 Whitstone Hill and Church Lane in the Cannard's Grave area at the southern tip of the town.

The site, formerly known as the Wessex filling station, is currently occupied by the Gold Hand Car Wash business, which is owned by a local resident.

Mendip District Council has now approved plans for a new four-pump petrol station on the site, along with a jet wash facility and six electric vehicle charging points.

The site lies a short distance from Cannard's Grave roundabout, leading into the town centre, and on the main road linking Shepton Mallet to both Castle Cary (via the A371) and Yeovil (via the A37).

The petrol station site is deemed by the Environment Agency (EA) to be at low risk of flooding – though local resident Charlotte Lilley has disputed this.

She said: "Many residents have complained to the council regarding a request for flooding support in the area. In then autumn the area often sees flooding at this location.

"The brownfield site, which had previously not been cleared for years, provides valuable run-off for Church Lane, and is highly prone to flooding as a result."

Shepton Mallet Town Council recommended the plans be refused in August 2021, arguing that the plans would lead to an increase in traffic and create potential road safety issues.

Town clerk Paula Robertson said: "A 24-hour opening would have both noise and light impact on existing residents. A reduction in opening hours would be desirable.

"Concerns were expressed about the safety of traffic turning onto the forecourt – we would like there to be a no right-turn traffic restriction put in place.

"The proposed hedge between the site and Church Lane must be maintained and improved."

Somerset County Council's highways department, by contrast, opined that any increase in traffic as a result of the development "would not be severe".

The developer has not specified how many new jobs will be created once the new petrol station is up and running.