Pumps plan fuels concern

PLANS . . . Asda in Shaw

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new 24-hour filling station in Shaw were deferred so that the applicant could address concerns over traffic, noise and light pollution.

Asda, on Greenfield Lane, will have to address the concerns about HGV access to the site before it can build the petrol station within its current car park.

The plans included a fully-automated four-pump station with "pay at the pump" self-service payment at all eight of the positions, as well as a shop/kiosk at the filling station, which would mean a reduction of 35 car park spaces at the store, bringing the total available to 281.

The store's recycling area would also be relocated to the northern part of the car park.

The application was met with concerns about increased traffic, noise and light pollution, road safety and the impact on nearby residents.

Opposing the application, Muaaz Munshi, business manager for Chedgold Ltd, which supplies petrol filling stations in the area, said: "Asda is proposing an unmanned filling station to Oldham. This jeopardises our development plans but also jobs in the area."

He said the petrol station would create dangerous traffic with increased traffic, fewer parking spaces and HGVs turning on a blind bend would increase the risk of accidents.

He highlighted concerns from residents about loss of privacy, light, noise, queueing traffic and road safety. "These should not be ignored on behalf of the residents," he said.

Alan Jones, for the applicant, said: "The proposals represent a significant investment by Asda to the area. The 'pay at the kiosk' element will be manned by colleagues.

"Additional customers needn't worry about parking provisions. As a retailer, parking spaces are crucial and we wouldn't propose anything that would jeopardise our customers' ability to park."

He also said a consultation revealed that residents were in favour by 54 to four.

However, Shaw councillor Chris Gloster disputed this: "The residents are quite right in being incredulous about this consultation exercise. When I went to the public consultation exercise with other councillors we were assured this petrol station would not be 24-hour.

"Having met with residents, they have got real concerns about this site. The issues for the residents are fumes, vehicles on the road, noise, car radios, petrol pumps clanging. There are also problems with joy-riding late at night in the car park."