Changes requested to Sowerby Bridge petrol station plans
Some tweaks to a company’s plans to revamp a busy petrol station – including offering a “food to go” service – have been submitted to planners.
Earlier this year, Calderdale Council planners approved a number of changes at Belmont Garage at Rochdale Road, Sowerby Bridge.
But Motor Fuel Limited have applied for permission to make some changes, one necessitated by the structure of a canopy which was to be “rationalised.”
Major elements of the original application, including the “food to go” aspect and demolition of a car wash, remain.
However, a supporting letter from agents JMS Planning says further investigation and design work undertaken on site since the permission was granted have shown some changes need to be made.
“It has become apparent that is not possible to remove part of the forecourt canopy due to the nature of its construction and the instability that would be created if this were done.
“On this basis it is necessary to retain the canopy as existing and adapt the site layout accordingly,” says the application.
This also means there will be removal of just one pump island – not two as previously proposed – according to the covering letter.
If planners agree, there will also be minor changes to parking in front of the sales building, retaining eight spaces including one accessible bay but adding additional kerbing to protect a canopy column.
Other changes now proposed include relocation of the ATM, relocation of the locker hubs, and relocation of valeting bays, which had been omitted on the approved drawings.
There will also be minor splaying of the rear extension to better respect the boundary and maintain access to rear area, if planners agree.
“The changes are primarily driven by the need to retain the canopy as existing but also to address minor design evolution on the site to better meet the operational requirements of the site and the needs of motorists,” according to the application.
Earlier in the year planners heard extending the building will see the food counter established and some new parking spaces are being provided.
The “food-to-go” service is expected to create five full time and five part time jobs, according to supporting papers with that application, and the car wash has had its day – “outdated”, the agents said.