Planners to consider new petrol station and store in Longtown

Members of Cumberland Council's planning committee are due to consider the application from James Hall and Co at a meeting in Allerdale House in Workington next Wednesday (October 16).

It is for a site near the junction of Bridge Street and Bank Street which includes the existing Esso Bridge Street Garage.

As well as replacing the petrol filling station and a new Spar convenience store, the application requests permission for a fuel canopy and fuel pumps, associated car park, infrastructure and underground fuel tanks following the demolition.

In addition, a warehouse building and residential dwellings at 6a and 6b Bank Street would also be demolished, as well as the refurbishment and partial demolition of 12 and 14 Bridge Street.

It is being placed before the committee because of the scale of the scheme, in the context of Longtown, and due to the level of public interest in the application which raised significant issues which the head of service considered warranted determination by members.

But it is recommended that it is approved with conditions, despite a number of objections.

Councillor Tim Pickstone (Longtown, Lib Dems) has commented on the application and his concerns included: highways and road safety concerns; visibility issues around the exit from the facility; safety concerns for pedestrians using the existing A7 footway.

Overview of the plans (Image: Cumberland Council Planning Portal)

Arthuret Parish Council has agreed not to support the application as it appeared that there was very little support for the application or the benefits it would bring to Longtown.

Their concerns included:

• Existing access issues for HGV vehicles from the Esso station onto the A7;
• Road safety issues;
• The proposal to demolish houses and historic old buildings in a conservation area for profit.

According to the planning report following the submission of amended plans and a re-consultation, a further 14 letters of objection and two letters of support were received by Cumberland Council.

The report states that the site extends to approximately 0.3 hectares and comprises a petrol filling station with associated kiosk, a two-storey former workshop, a pair of semi-detached dwellings.

It adds: "The site lies on Bridge Street (A7) immediately to the south of Longtown Bridge and to the north of the Longtown District Centre.

"The majority of the site is identified as a primary Employment Area within the adopted Local Plan, with 12 and 14 Bridge Street being identified as Key Townscape Frontage Buildings. The whole of the site lies within the Longtown Conservation Area."

It is proposed that there would be six fuel pumps and, according to the report, it would provide employment opportunities – 15 full time and 15 part time staff – in addition to the short-term jobs in construction.

Next Wednesday's public meeting is due to begin at 10.30am.