Plans to extend the operating hours of the Esso petrol station on B3139 Bath Road in Wells have been declined following a vote by local councillors. The station, which also houses a Budgens store and a Post Office counter, is located in a predominantly residential area of the city.
Motor Fuel Group had recently obtained a licence from Somerset Council permitting the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises around the clock. However, the company’s attempt to open the petrol station 24 hours a day, seven days a week, was unsuccessful.
Under the original planning permission granted by Mendip District Council in June 2014, the petrol station and shop operated under restricted hours for the first 12 months: 6am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 7am to 10pm on Sundays. After this initial period, the hours were standardised to 7am to 10pm daily. The latest licensing permits sales of alcohol and late-night refreshments through a night pay window only.
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The Motor Fuel Group proposed that if the extended hours were allowed, the shop itself would remain shut to the public between 10pm and 7am, with petrol sales conducted through the night pay window and only one set of pumps in use to minimise illegal fuel theft.
The proposal was thoroughly discussed during a meeting of Somerset Council’s planning committee east in Shepton Mallet, which handles major applications in the former Mendip area.
Local resident Daniel Dutton expressed his concerns, stating, “When this petrol station was approved, the condition restricting the opening hours was imposed specifically to safeguard the amenity of neighbouring residents. What has materially changed to justify removing this protection?”
He added, “The applicant’s own noise impact assessment predicts noise levels will rise by between 5dB and 13dB – this is a significant adverse impact. A detailed lighting scheme still has not been submitted. The grant of a premises licence is not evidence that planning issues have been fully addressed.”
Another resident, Arthur Hayward, described the disturbance caused by the station, saying: “I can hear the forecourt from my bedroom window – how would any of you like that from 1am to 4am? We’re talking about common sense here, never mind rules and regulations. The artificial light is so powerful, you could read a newspaper from the forecourt with my bedroom lights turned off. I would like to have a reasonable night’s sleep if I could.”
Councillor Theo Butt Philip, representing the Wells division that includes the station, shared these concerns. He noted, “The condition limiting the hours exists for a reason, and those reasons have not changed. This is a residential area, and while it is beneficial to have a shop and petrol station here, it would not be beneficial to have one operating through the night. There is a real concern that it would attract people buying food and alcohol late at night, which could cause problems.”
Councillor Susannah Hart echoed this sentiment, saying, “We should reject this. It’s not Las Vegas, it’s Wells. We don’t need another 24-hour garage. There is avoidable harm and no gain. People shopping in the middle of the night are predominantly people who are high or drunk. Normal, quiet, family people don’t go out shopping at a garage in the middle of the night.”
Following around thirty minutes of debate, the committee voted decisively, refusing the plans by ten votes to one. Motor Fuel Group has yet to indicate whether it intends to appeal the decision.