Shropshire Star

Green light for petrol station, drive-thru and offices in Telford

More than 50 jobs are poised to be created after a scheme to build a petrol station and drive-thru coffee shop in Telford was given the go-ahead by planning chiefs.

Published

The Euro Garages development, which also includes six commercial units, is earmarked for land next to Sigma & Staubli House, at Hadley Park East.

The scheme received the green light from Telford & Wrekin Council’s planning committee during a meeting on Wednesday evening.

The development will be split into two separate plots, the first will contain the garage and the coffee shop, and the second will be made up of six commercial units.

It is thought that 54 jobs will be created at the petrol station and drive-thru.

The access for the garage and cafe will be off Hadley Park East, and the entrance for the commercial units will be from Silkin Way, where there is already a road to access offices.

Councillor Peter Scott welcomed the plans at Wednesday's meeting.

He said: "I can't see the fascination of drive-thru anything, however I'm struggling to find any reason why we shouldn't say yes to this.

"It's overall a pretty good news story. It will bring jobs.

"We should grasp it with both hands and accept it."

Councillor Nicola Lowery raised concerns about the layout of the development but offered her support.

However, Councillor Ian Fletcher said there was no cycle parking earmarked at all which was a failure to satisfy the local plan.

The plans include 28 parking spaces for the petrol station, 31 spaces for the coffee shop, and 73 for the offices.

A planning report on the proposal, which was put before the committee, contained objections from members of the public and neighbouring businesses Staubli and Quorum Logistic Support.

Concerns raised included “safety risk from petrol filling station” and increased traffic, and that the “design will not fit in with high specification of buildings expected in the area”.

One objection also questioned whether a petrol station was needed in the area.

However, council officers dismissed the suggestion and said the plan is “of a high quality design that would complement and enhance the visual appearance of the area”.

The report also said that the development would provide new jobs for the area.

Officers also rejected the worries raised over the traffic impact.