Plans have been formally submitted to build a new petrol station at the entrance to Highbridge’s Asda supermarket.
The supermarket giant wants to build an eight-pump automated petrol station at the entrance to its Caxton Road store.
The planning application states that the facilities would see the removal of 31 car parking spaces at the site to make room for the station, which would be open seven days a week.
Asda says the station would be unmanned most of the time, although the station would have a ‘forecourt greeter’ 65 hours each week to help customers at busier trading times.
The firm explains: “The pumps will be fully automated and self-service operated by means of customer credit card authorisation only; there will be no cash sales.”
“This method of forecourt operation is significantly more efficient than ‘pay at kiosk’ and ‘drive to pay’ stations with much reduced standing time on the forecourt, consequently accommodating higher throughput with minimal queuing.”
“The station would have four dual-sided dispensers, on four islands set out in a 2 x 2 domino layout, with fuel hose delivery to both sides of the dispenser, providing eight filling positions.”
To reduce the noise impact to local residents, Asda is planning restricted opening hours of 7am-10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sundays.
The plans have this week been welcomed by motorists who hope that the extra competition will drive down fuel costs across Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge.
However, several nearby residents have raised concerns about the plans. Rachael Loud has written to Sedgemoor District Council, stating: “I am against a petrol station at Asda. I have lived here two years and already the noise is bad. It will be unsightly, messy and noisy.”
“There are already cars and motorbikes streaming around Asda car park at all hours of the night, making it hard to sleep. I think a petrol station will make this worse. The dangers of fuel are not wanted in this area, nor is the mess, noise and smells.”
Sedgemoor District Council’s planning department is welcoming feedback from residents until June 28th during its consultation period. The application number is 11/13/00060.
Burnham-On-Sea.com first featured the store’s hopes to build a petrol station last October, as reported here.
Pictured: Above, the small car park at the entrance to the store where the petrol station is proposed
