Ludlow petrol station fears 'resolved'
All concerns over plans for a second petrol station in Ludlow have been resolved, it was claimed today, ahead of a meeting that will decide if the development is to go ahead.
The proposals for six fuel pumps, a convenience shop and coffee shop at Bromfield Road in Ludlow have been the subject of fears over traffic safety, pollution and the impact on the surrounding neighbourhood.
But now applicant Mead House Pension Scheme says the plans for the corner of Bromfield Road and Coronation Avenue, on the former Burway Abbatoir site, will go back before Shropshire Council's south planning committee with all issues resolved.
The committee sent the proposal away in March, saying road safety needed to be looked at because the filling station and shop would be just down the road from Ludlow School, with hundreds of pupils pouring in and out at peak times. Now developers have confirmed they have a proposal to make in May, and Ludlow North councillor Andy Boddington has changed from opposing the scheme to backing it, saying he is confident road safety will be improved.
He said: "We have moved through three stages in this application. The first was getting a decent low profile design. The second was getting the best petrol tanks we can get. The final action is to get safe crossings on Bromfield Road and Coronation Avenue. We are just about there with that after a generous contribution from the developer.
"Pedestrian safety must be resolved but I now think we can do that.
"Although I will always be uneasy about storing petrol on the banks of the Corve I now think the scheme should go ahead."
With the Environment Agency withdrawing any objections over the siting of petrol tanks close to the town's water courses, an objection on grounds of potential pollution was not possible, said Councillor Boddington.
The plan is up for decision on May 22.
