PLANS to redevelop a former caravan sales area into a petrol station have been approved.
The proposals had been submitted to Lichfield District Council for the Canwell Caravans Ltd plot at London Road.
The work will also see the inclusion of a car wash and drive-thru jet wash bays.
A planning statement said the land had "historically operated as a petrol filling station" before its use was changed.
It added:
"Vehicle access will be taken via existing footway crossover points on London Road as per the previous Canwell Caravans access arrangement."
Objections had been raised by some local residents, however. One said:
"The foundation appears to be that because the site was a petrol station 60 years ago it should be allowed to be again.
"That was when the London Road was the road to London and could not support increases in traffic that necessitated the building of the A38, at which point it no longer became viable.
"I am assuming this is not a general move to return to an era where gentlemen wore tweed jackets and ties to work and the internet and computers were not a thing, but analog phone lines were?"
Another neighbouring homeowner said:
"The existing development houses a low volume sales showroom for expensive caravans and motor-homes, attracting a few customers per day who make no noise and have very little impact on the area. There is no comparison between that and the high volume, high impact facility being proposed.
"It patently has a much higher impact than a showroom and yard attracting a few customers per day.
"The introduction of a large-scale petrol station canopy, significant external lighting arrays, a permanent sales building, and automated car wash infrastructure represents an unacceptable expansion of visual massing and built volume compared to the previous caravan sales footprint."
But a council officer's planning report said the scheme could go ahead:
"The proposed use would be more intensive than the former caravan sales operation, with associated vehicle movements and external lighting increasing the visual presence and activity of the site, particularly during hours of darkness.
"The applicant has confirmed that the petrol filling station would operate between 6am and midnight, with the jet washes operating between 8am and 8pm.
"On balance, it is considered that the redevelopment would result in a degree of adverse impact upon the spatial and visual openness of the Green Belt, particularly as a consequence of the increased enclosed building volume, introduction of the forecourt canopy and greater level of activity and illumination.
"However, having regard to the established developed nature of the site, the containment of the development within the existing previously developed land and the characteristics of the proposed built form, this harm is considered to be localised and would not amount to substantial harm to the openness of the Green Belt."
Full details can be found on Lichfield District Council's planning website.
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