From fast food to fuel: new plans for pub site
PETROL STATION COULD BE BUILT ON PLOT
A FORMER pub site at the centre of a long-running saga over a proposed McDonald’s drive-through could now be turned into a petrol station.
The fast food chain’s plans for the old Crofters Lodge, in Kenton, were finally abandoned in 2016 amid a wave of objections from locals, and the land has been left vacant ever since.
Newcastle City Council bosses are now set to deliver a verdict on whether the Kenton Lane site can be turned into a petrol filling station and convenience store.
The latest designs for the empty plot have also been met with objections, with some residents fearing the 24-hour facility could cause traffic chaos.
Applicant Euro Garages says that the site has become a “significant eyesore” since the pub was demolished in 2011 and that their redevelopment would offer a “clear and measurable improvement”.
Councillors will decide on Friday whether to grant planning permission for the proposal, with city planners recommending it for approval.
However, objectors are worried that the “absolutely unnecessary” petrol station would add to congestion problems in an area that is already busy with traffic heading both into Newcastle city centre and towards the A1.
One resident said: “I have seen the volume of cars increase massively over the years so adding another stop-off point for more cars is only going to increase this, with an increase in traffic jams, noise, and danger to children travelling to and from school.”
Another of the 17 objectors added: “The proposal will create major traffic congestion – Kenton Lane is already an extremely busy road acting as a main road into the city as well as a route on to the A1. The road outside the estate is already at a standstill at the best of times and this will only add to the problems.” Worries have also emerged over rising air pollution and the impact of a new convenience store on the health of youngsters at nearby Kenton School, while councillors Anya Durrant and Oskar Avery have also objected. Northumbria Police added that, while they have no concerns over crime and anti-social behaviour, officers are worried by the position of a new petrol station next to a busy roundabout.
But, in a report to the council’s planning committee, local authority officers conclude that the scheme “would not be considered to cause demonstrable harm to highway safety”.
They add that the station has a “modern and contemporary design” and is far away enough from nearby homes to not cause any unreasonable disturbance.
Forecourt operator EG Group’s planning application states that the petrol station is a “more appropriate” use for the land than the controversial McDonald’s plans, adding that it is “ideally located to serve motorists”. They said: “The site is currently a long-standing derelict vacant site (since the demolition of the former pub in late 2011) enclosed by hoarding which has been subject to vandalism and this development offers an opportunity to vastly improve the appearance of the areas. In addition, given that the council consider the site to be in a gateway location, the continuing dereliction of the site represents a significant eyesore and it is considered that the proposal would offer a clear and measurable improvement by bringing the site back into active use.”
The McDonald’s plans for a twostorey fast food restaurant were rejected in 2014 and a subsequent appeal by the international chain was withdrawn.
That project attracted hundreds of objections over potential health issues, traffic concerns and antisocial behaviour.
The road outside the estate is already at a standstill at the best of times and this will only add to the problems