Bid to Extend Opening Hours at Wells Petrol Station Rejected

Efforts to extend the operating hours of the Esso petrol station on Bath Road in Wells have been unsuccessful after a decision by local councillors.

Located within a largely residential area, the site also includes a Budgens convenience store and a Post Office counter. Motor Fuel Group, which manages the station, had hoped to operate the petrol station 24 hours a day, every day. This followed the company securing a licence from Somerset Council in October 2025 to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises around the clock.

However, the request to extend the opening hours to a full 24-hour service was refused. Councillors expressed concerns that the extended hours could attract people “predominantly high or drunk,” potentially disturbing the peace and negatively impacting the quality of life for nearby residents.

Originally, the petrol station’s operating hours were limited under planning permission granted by Mendip District Council in June 2014. The licence restricted opening times to 6am–10pm Monday to Saturday and 7am–10pm on Sundays for an initial 12-month period. Subsequently, these hours were standardised to 7am–10pm daily, with the recent alcohol licence allowing sales through the night pay window.

Motor Fuel Group had proposed that, should the change be approved, the store itself would remain closed overnight between 10pm and 7am, with only one set of petrol pumps in use to mitigate risks such as bilking. All late-night sales of alcohol and hot food would be conducted via the pay window.

During the planning committee meeting held in Shepton Mallet, local residents voiced their opposition. Daniel Dutton commented, “When this petrol station was approved, restrictions on hours were specifically put in place to protect neighbours' amenity. Nothing has changed to justify lifting those protections.” He added that noise levels were predicted to rise significantly based on the applicant’s own assessment, and expressed concern at the lack of a detailed lighting scheme.

Local resident Arthur Hayward shared his frustrations: “I can hear activity from the forecourt from my bedroom window. How would you feel if this went on between 1am and 4am? The artificial lighting is so bright, I could read a newspaper from my bedroom with the lights off. I just want a decent night’s sleep.”

Councillor Theo Butt Philip, representing the Wells division, supported these concerns, stating, “The existing conditions limiting the hours are there for a reason, and that hasn’t changed. It is a residential neighbourhood, and while having a petrol station and shop is beneficial, operating through the night is not.”

Councillor Susannah Hart of Glastonbury echoed this sentiment, saying, “We should reject this proposal. Wells is not Las Vegas, and a 24-hour garage would cause avoidable harm. The people shopping at night tend to be those who are under the influence, not families or quiet individuals.”

Following approximately thirty minutes of debate, the committee voted decisively, with ten members against and one in favour, to refuse the application.

At this stage, Motor Fuel Group has not indicated whether it intends to appeal the decision.