Pollution fear over Ludlow petrol station plan
Building a filling station on the banks of the River Corve in Ludlow near a natural well would be "inviting" pollution of the town's waterways it has been claimed.
Plans for the station on the outskirts of the town have been re-submitted, with changes to address concerns by the Environment Agency.
But others, including Andy Boddington, Shropshire councillor for Ludlow North, are not convinced the measures are enough to safeguard against the risk of pollution, and say if there is a petrol leak at the site it could spell disaster for the town.
The site on Bromfield Road, formerly Burway Abattoir, is close to both the the River Corve and Ludlow's Boiling Well, an ancient sacred spring said in folklore to have healing powers.
Mead House Pension Scheme, the group behind the plans, have amended the plans so that the petrol tanks are now above ground instead of sunk into the floor below the site.
The move follows an objection by the Environment Agency that fuel storage was below the water table, at a place which directly supplies ground water to the River Corve - so any leak would immediately flow into it.
But Councillor Boddington said, despite the measures, the filling station was still in the wrong place.
He said any leak at the site would be "catastrophic" for rivers, wildlife and the historic natural well on the other side of Coronation Avenue, which was almost certainly fed the same groundwater.
He said: "Low risk doesn't mean no risk.
"Of course, Ludlow desperately needs a second petrol station. But putting petrol tanks on the banks of the Corve above the Boiling Well is inviting a risk of disastrous pollution of both the Corve and the Teme.
"That could be environmentally devastating. Our rivers are as vital a part of the character of Ludlow as the castle, church and historic streets.
"The risk of pollution might be small but this is a risk this town cannot take.
"This planning application might best be described as the right idea in the wrong place.
"I will continue to oppose this application and have repeated my request to have it considered by the South Planning Committee," he said.
If given permission, the planned Texaco filling station would also include a café, store and car park. The number of car parking spaces has been reduced from 21 to 17.
The only other petrol station in Ludlow is to the south east of the town at Harry Tuffins on Foldgate Lane.
Peter Fenwick, speaking for the developers, said three of Ludlow's petrol stations had closed in the last 40 years leaving only one. The station would provide "a more sustainable and accessible opportunity" for residents to get fuel and create 15 jobs, as well as removing unsightly derelict buildings currently at the site.
