New life pumped into Darlaston petrol station
Plans to take down a ‘dilapidated’ Darlaston petrol station and replace it with a new facility have been given the green light.
Walsall Council planners approved the demolition of an existing shop at James Bridge Service Station, making way for a new retail store and an enhanced forecourt with three pumps.
Agents Adcock Associates said the current facilities at the 24-hour service station were in poor condition and in need of replacement.
They also said the redevelopment would see two new full-time and four part-time jobs created once it is complete.
In the application, they said: “The site was already established as a petrol filling station in 1986, when permission was granted to extend the existing car wash facility.
“Subsequently, there have been a number of applications, including for installation of an ATM and provision of hot food takeaway which were approved, and an application for a canopy over the HGV forecourt which was refused.
“The proposal is to demolish the existing forecourt shop building, forecourt, and car wash facilities, which are in a dilapidated condition, and construct a new modern shop building and forecourt.
“The new building will be longer but lower than the existing, making it closer in scale to the domestic properties on the opposite side of Short Street. The HGV forecourt will remain as existing.
“The redevelopment is unlikely to have a significant impact on the surrounding area and its design is to be of a quality reflecting the existing appearance.
"The redevelopment should therefore be supported in principle, as it will serve a local need and deliver a viable and sustainable service station.”
