PLANS to create electric vehicle charging (EVC) stations at a petrol station near Haydock Island have been passed despite concerns over pedestrian access to the shop.

Proposals were sent to the council for four covered electric vehicle charging stations, with a new substation and an LV GRP cabinet at Haydock Island Petrol Station, on the East Lancashire Road.

In a planning statement, on behalf of Shell UK Oil Products Ltd, it was said there are nine existing customer car parking spaces at the site and one existing EVC bay next to the sales building.

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It added: "The EVC charging bays are located to the north east of the site in an area currently landscaped but have been positioned so as to minimise the loss of trees", adding "the proposal will result in the loss of one tree located along the northern boundary".

Plans added: "Speed, availability and the reliability of charging infrastructure are currently the biggest potential deterrents to buying an electric car. Shell believes this could be changed with better access to recharging options, better suited to the needs of customers and their lifestyles. 

"The Government’s vision is to remove charging infrastructure as both a perceived, and a real barrier to the adoption of electric vehicles and have as a minimum 300,000 public charge points by 2030 – equivalent to almost 5 times the number of fuel pumps on our roads today."

Plans concluded: "The proposal is wholly in accordance with national and local planning policy which support the delivery of renewable energy technology and seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from road transport, improving air quality standards and increasing the use for alternative fuels by domestic drivers."

Case officer Alex Ball recommended the plans be approved and said in a report: "The proposed development would benefit the local community".

It was noted "The Highways officer has some reservations about the pedestrian access from the EVC bays to the shop, however, the site would be typical of many similar petrol filling stations, where pedestrians and vehicles mix within the same space.

"The Highways officer is satisfied that the proposed development is acceptable and in accordance with policy LPA06 of the St Helens LP."

Formal permission was granted.