Rebuild planned for petrol station
Owners want to pump cash into bigger site
Plans to demolish a petrol station on a busy road and give it a major revamp have been submitted to the council.
If given the go ahead, the shop and forecourt of Shell Tamarisk garage in Linton Road, Loose, would be knocked down, as well as outbuildings of a nearby property.
In its place would be a bigger, single-storey sales building, built at an angle, with toilets, an ATM, and an Amazon locker for deliveries and returns.
Four new pumps and pump islands would be installed at the site, next to Linton crossroad, as well as a new canopy.
The development would feature nine parking spaces, including one disabled space, as well as four charging spots for electric cars.
The current entry and exit system will remain in place, with drivers accessing the petrol station via Linton Road, heading towards Maidstone.
A nearby house, 110 Linton Road, which has been boarded up and vacant for some time, will be redeveloped as part of the proposal.
Documents on Maidstone council’s planning portal have revealed the applicant expects the project to create employ
ment. A design and access statement said: “The enhanced proposal will provide a valuable source of jobs, retaining the existing jobs on site and further job opportunities.
“Many of these will be suitable for local residents, particularly residents who wish to be flexible in the hours they work.
“The proposal will therefore bring a wide range of economic benefits.
“In addition to the actual jobs created by the development, further jobs will be created in the construction phase of development.”
A similar application submitted in 2019, which was later withdrawn, was criticised by some.
But the applicants say they
have tried to resolve these problems.
Previous issues with the plans included concerns over the new petrol pumps, canopy and vent pipe being too close to homes in Carman’s Close.
This has been addressed by moving the pump and vents further away from the homes, while the size of the canopy has been reduced.
If given the green light, four trees on site – a goat willow, maple, silver birch and sycamore – would be removed.
To view the application, and leave your comments, head online to www.tinyurl.com/ planningkm, with reference 22/502917/FULL