Plans for a new petrol station on council-owned scrubland on an Irlam roundabout have been recommended for approval today.
Blackburn-based petrol retailer The Kay Group applied for outline planning consent for a petrol filling station and hot food takeaway on a former refuse tip at the roundabout at the junction of Liverpool Road and Cadishead Way.
Irlam roundabout with application site to the left – Google Street View
The original idea caused controversy when the details came to light in May.
But after opposition from local residents The Key Group ditched plans for the takeaway and instead proposed a 24-hour petrol station, a retail store which is intended to be a Spar, and a Greggs cafe, with drive-through, which will open 6am to 9pm seven days a week, and a jet washing facility open from 8am to 10pm seven days a week.
The applicants say 10 full-time jobs and 15 part-time jobs will be created by the development.
The planned number of car parking spaces has also been boosted from 13 to 25.
The overgrown site has long been used for dumping rubbish, and is covered by scrub trees and weeds. An environmental report found there was no discernable value for plants or protected species.
A new entrance to the filling station will be created on the B5320 Liverpool Road, near the roundabout where access splits to Irlam and Cadishead Way towards Warrington.
The Kay Group already run the Texaco Irlam Service Station around half a mile away on Liverpool Road, along with 14 other petrol stations in Halifax, Burnley and across the North West.
Councillor Roger Jones, who represents Irlam, told SalfordOnline.com: “I did not agree with the original application because they intended to open a fast food outlet which local residents opposed.
“Now it has been amended to a petrol garage and shop similar to the existing one in Irlam which is well used by local residents and causes no problems.
“The shop will be useful for residents on the crossfield estate and those living near the main road on Addison Road, Boundary Road and Liverpool Road.”
The proposals will be considered at the council’s Planning and Transportation Regulatory Panel today, Thursday 3 September.
