New plans unveiled for electric vehicle showroom

A new electric vehicle showroom could be opening in Wellington.

New plans have been lodged by Electric Horse to build a small showroom with two offices and a waiting lounge on vacant land in Apley, around 1.5 miles north of the town centre.

Subject to consent, the showroom itself would cover 1,378 sq ft and be capable of housing two cars while the remainder of the site would be used for displaying more EVs for sale, lease or hire and visitor parking.

Electric Horse operates from offices in Oswestry and London and works with businesses wishing to transition to renewable energy by offering advice and installation.

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The application site sits at the corner of Coopers Mill and Doctor Hanna Way off the A442 and was once home to the Maxell factory.

The plant made video and audio tapes and batteries but closed in 2014 and relocated to new premises in Telford as the company shifted its operations to move into the plastics sector.

A Costa Coffee, Co-op food store and Little Pioneers nursery and pre-school have all opened there in recent years and there is also a new residential development by Countryside Homes.

A report submitted in support of the new planning application said: "The proposals will not be detrimental to the site or surrounding area and will make a positive contribution in the vicinity, providing a completeness to the commercial area of land to the east of the Co-op.

"The design approach has been to maintain a modern, fresh, sharp appearance that will not be out of keeping with buildings in the vicinity.

"The unit proposed is a modest EV showroom and office operation and therefore has a low impact on the neighbouring commercial and residential uses that surround the site, rather than a repair garage, MOT station, petrol filling station or high-turnover roadside dealership.

"The layout of the proposals won't change the basic overall plan of the area but will offer a well-integrated commercial use which will provide a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the surrounding area."