NEW plans have been submitted seeking to upgrade facilities at a petrol station have been approved.

Proposals for Garswood Filling Station on Garswood Road were drawn up earlier this year.

These included for the demolition of the existing shop building, conversion of an MOT centre to a new shop with new cladding, roof alterations and shopfront.

Plans also sought the replacement of underground fuel tanks, with forecourt alterations and a new canopy and associated parking. 

Previous plans for the site had been submitted to the council last year but were later withdrawn.

The new application was sent in by Oakdene Fine Wine Importers.

Plans said the applicant “seeks to modernise the site’s offer; on a viability point, the sale of fuel on its own is not viable while the MOT garage has been operating at a loss for some time”.

A design and access statement, drawn up by agents Walker Design, on behalf of the applicants say “the proposed shop consists of a total internal area of 225m2 / 2777 ft2 with an office and store area on the first floor”.

It adds the retail unit will be “an upgrade from the existing shop in terms of appearance”.

The statement said the redevelopment aims “to modernise and upgrade the retail unit with additional pumps”.

It added: “Due to the position of the site between residential properties, it is prudent that the design remains restrained so as to viewed as non-domineering.

“The proposal intends to adopt a traditional appearance while retaining the pitched roof taking the ridge height to approximately 6m and eaves to 3m”.

The statement concluded: “There will be no demonstrable harm to neighbouring amenities, visual amenities or highway safety.

“In addition, the proposed development will result in significant planning benefits in terms of Job creation, visual amenity, enhanced and modern roadside facilities for motorists with improvement to operational efficiency and traffic circulation of the site”.

Plans have been granted permission by the council.