Plans for new petrol station at Shepton Mallet have been approved - and other planning news from in and around the town | Local News | News | Shepton Mallet Nub News

Shepton Mallet could be getting a new petrol station, creating 14 new jobs.

Mendip District Council planners have approved an application for a new filling station at the Gold Hand Car Wash site at Cannards Grave.

The decision has been a long time coming, with the application first submitted almost a year ago in July 2021.

The site was originally a petrol station, but it became a car hand wash around 17 years ago.

The proposal includes plans for four pumps (eight filling points), a shop, six electric vehicle charging points, three jet wash bays as well as an air, water and vacuum bay, 25 car parking spaces (including a disabled bay and the electric vehicle charging bays), storage for six bicycles and associated hard and soft landscaping.

It is proposed that the filling station will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the shop open from 6am to 11pm.

According to the planning application, the venture will create up to 14 new jobs.

The application says: "The proposed development will enhance the local economy, increasing choice and competition within the local area. It will also enhance the appearance of the existing site, and provide a service that is essential to a wide range of users.

"The proposal clearly benefits economic activity and extends the range of facilities available to local communities. The proposal is for economic development, and will create approximately 14 full-time equivalent employment positions at a range of skill level, as well as providing facilities to local communities that use the A37. It is expected that the majority of employment opportunities created will go to local residents."

Shepton Mallet Town Council had objected to the plans, raising several concerns including fears that 24-hour opening would have both noise and light impact on existing residents.

However, planners said: "The proposed development is outside the development limits in open countryside. It is on part brownfield land/part greenfield land. Considering the scope and scale of development and the associated economic benefits of job creation, the principle of development is considered acceptable in this case.

"On balance, the impacts on the character of the area are concluded to be acceptable.

"Impact on the residential amenity of neighbouring occupants, particularly Chantry House, has been carefully considered and on balance concluded to be acceptable following the submission of revised plans moving the development away from Church Lane and showing increased planting."

Currently there is only one petrol station in Shepton – at Tesco in Townsend.

Other planning applications received and decided by Mendip District Council are as follows:

Planning applications validated

South Hill House, Piers Road To Southill House, West Cranmore

Approval of details reserved by condition 3 (Materials), condition 4 (Sample Panel), condition 5 (Sample Panel), condition 6 (Joinery Details), condition 7 (Gates) and condition 8 (Ducts, Pipes, Rainwater Goods) on planning consent 2019/1807/FUL.

Southview Farm, Downside, Shepton Mallet

Change of Use of Land from Agricultural to Residential and erections of an Office/Workshop.

North View, Frys Well, Chilcompton

Erection of a rear single storey conservatory over basement store.

Applications decided

Ham Wood Farm, Thrupe Lane, Masbury

Approval of details reserved by Conditions 3 - (Materials - full discharge) and Condition 8 (Surface Water Drainage System - partial discharge) on planning consent 2020/2466/FUL - (Demolition of existing barn with Class C3 Consent and replacement with a new dwelling and access driveway).

Decision: Approval