Store’s petrol station plans refused
COUNCIL planning officers have refused a controversial application to build a petrol station at a Valley supermarket after more than 50 objections.
Plans had been submitted at the end of 2017 to add a four-pump petrol station and a drive-to-pay kiosk at Asda, on Holly Mount Way in Rawtenstall.
The plans were originally met with 52 objec- tions from members of the public and community groups - including the Rossendale Civic Trust.
Concerns over whether the site would be in keeping with a nearby conservation area were coupled with issues over increased traffic and the necessity of another filling station, with two on nearby Bacup Road and another at Tesco on St Mary’s Way.
In their decision notice published on August 22, council planning officers - who made the decision under delegated powers - explained: “The proposed development is of a form which would cause unacceptable harm to the setting of the nearby Conservation Area and of Holly Mount House, a Grade IIlisted building.
“It is not considered that the public benefits of the proposed development outweigh the harm that would be caused.”
Longholme councillor, Steve Hughes, who had objected to the application, welcomed the officers’ decision.
He said: “I’m very pleased that the application has been refused. Myself and [former ward councillor] Annie McMahon met with Asda a few months before the application and expressed our concerns about the development. The fundamental principle of having a petrol station on that site was not right - I absolutely agree with the planning officers’ decision.
“The conservation area is important and there for a reason and it needs to be protected.”
No-one at Asda was available for comment as we went to press.