Asda in new bid to build petrol station after Goalpost pub site plan rejected

The supermarket giant had wanted to knock down the former Goal Post pub in Wolverhampton and turn it into a petrol station, adjacent to the current Asda supermarket on Molineux Way.

In plans submitted earlier this year they stated they wanted to tear down the site, now called Lounge 107, but these were thrown out by planning chiefs. An appeal made by store bosses was also dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate just last month.

But now the firm has submitted new plans to build a petrol station in the city, this time on the site of their existing Asda supermarket.

According to the plans, the proposed petrol station will consist of four pumps, providing eight filling positions, and a 'dual jet wash facility'.

When the original proposal for the pub site was rejected, Planning inspector Elizabeth Jones described the proposals as 'harmful' to the street scene and said it would make existing traffic problems worse.

A report prepared raised serious concerns about the increased traffic flow Waterloo Road, particularly at peak times and on Wolves match days.

But in the new proposal, Steven Roberts of Deloitte, who submitted the plans on behalf of Asda, insisted that the traffic impact would be minimal as the proposed petrol station would sit on an existing site.

He said: "The supporting Transport Statement, prepared by AECOM, identifies that the proposed development will not significantly increase the number of dedicated trips to and from the petrol filling station.

"The proposed new facilities will largely serve the existing Asda customers, and therefore will have a minimal impact on the existing road networks and is unlikely to affect the levels of pollution."

Summing up the proposal, Mr Roberts said: "The proposed station design and automated format represents the most compact efficient facility with minimal impact on the existing sore operations and sits unobtrusively within the retail environment."

A spokesperson for Asda added: "Asda is committed to bringing low-priced fuel to customers of our Wolverhampton Superstore. A planning application has been submitted for a new station on our existing site and we will work closely with Officers throughout the planning process"

The former Goal Post pub has long been a favourite for Wolves fans on match days given its close proximity to Molineux.

The area has already seen the loss of two traditional Wolves pubs – The Wanderer and The Feathers – in recent years.