PLANS to build a petrol station off Eversley Road, Arborfield, have been withdrawn following a four-week-long public consultation.
The proposed 1 acre site was located to the north of Ducks Nest roundabout and would have consisted of six fuel pumps, a new sales building and car washes, as well as car and bike parking, and electric vehicle charging bays.
Some residents welcomed the news, while others felt that the petrol station was needed to support the village’s extensive housing development.
A spokesperson for Arborfield and Barkham Parish Council said: “The location was flawed from the outset. The entry and exit being on top of the roundabout would cause chaos as people try to enter and exit, likely crossing traffic to do so.
“There are already a number of petrol stations only a short drive from here so it wasn’t a facility that was urgently needed at this location.”
They added that the petrol station could encourage the number of car meets, racing down Observer Way and anti-social behaviour it has seen in recent months, and potentially “harm long-standing businesses”, such as the village’s Londis and Co-op.
“Our primary consideration for the parish council is that this would be a greenfield development, a development being built on fields and also outside the strategic development location of the Garrison site and counter to the Arborfield and Barkham Neighbourhood plan adopted by residents,” the parish council explained.
“It would slowly reduce the separation between the Garrison site and that of Arborfield Cross and the village would begin to lose its distinct nature. We are trying to avoid the possibility of a single large, coalesced development having the Garrison site and village combined.”
Arborfield resident Kimberley O’Hara agreed that the building of the petrol station was unnecessary. She said: “I’m happy with the decision that the petrol station will not be going ahead. We don’t need another one as we have several within a sensible distance.
“We moved to Arborfield because it was less built up but now there’s constant building works going on and I feel sad for the wildlife that constantly suffer because of humans.”
Another resident in the village, Joe Stevenson, disagreed. He explained: “With all these new houses being built we need infrastructure behind it to support the growth. Why would you celebrate the refusal of a petrol station with another 2,000 plus cars in the area?”
Rob Boreham-Fish said it was “a shame” the application had been withdrawn, saying that a petrol station and associated shop close by would have been a great support to Arborfield’s growing community.
Some people had mixed feelings about the decision, believing the location was poorly chosen but that such infrastructure was necessary in the village.
Dave Southwell said: “I personally thought the location was poor and would have caused congestion on a roundabout designed to alleviate congestion, but surely something like this would have been good for Arborfield.
“Given all the building, it’s not really a village anymore and it probably needs a petrol station. Electric cars are coming in 2030, but there’s likely to be significant demand for petrol stations for the next 20 years at least as the older ICE cars are cycled out.
“The one in Crowthorne is hugely successful and is constantly bringing customers in for the M&S outlet.”
The planning application’s public consultation took place from August 17-September 15, with the decision made on September 15.
