Uncertainty has been expressed over an 'unexciting' £25m plan for a former fuel site in Nottinghamshire. The flattened former Total fuel site off Colwick Loop Road in Colwick will be transformed into a builder's merchants and 13 industrial and logistics units, if Gedling Borough Council's planning committee grants permission on January 11.
The site was part of the Total Lindsey Oil Refinery, based near Grimsby in Lincolnshire, but was owned overall by Total S.A. The terminal was closed after the refinery announced plans in 2015 to make changes to its operations.
The silos and site office have all been demolished ahead of the prospective development, but people were unsure on the site's proposed future. Retiree Richard Davies, 88, who lives in Vale Road, said: “There’s enough clogged up on the loop road as it is.
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"More shops are going to make it worse on that road and on the residential streets like this one [Vale Road]. I think there are enough supermarkets now and industrial shops. I don't see the benefit of having more."
Dennis Calladine, 60, a retired resident of Colwick, said: “Everyone without transport can’t reach that area, it would be a 30-minute walk for me. Industrial shops aren’t very exciting or useful enough for me, so I don't think it is good at all.”
The proposed development will use the existing access from Road No 3 to the south of the site for the 13 industrial units, with a new access proposed from Road No 1 to the west of the site for the builder's merchants. The proposed new access requires the relocation of the bus stop on Road No 1, which has been agreed with the Highway Authority.
Luisa da Silva, 27, a design manager who lives in Colwick, added: “We could do with a gym rather than shops or industrial places, preferably a cheaper gym than what we have around here”.
Council planning officers have advised planning committee members to approve the project. Mark Garrity, development manager for applicant Chancerygate, said: “Our proposed plans at Colwick aim to satisfy the high demand for Grade A sustainable trade counter, urban logistics and industrial accommodation in the Nottingham area.
“The site is situated in a prime industrial area of Nottingham, meaning it is best placed to serve businesses operating within the city as well as across the wider East Midlands region.”
The Health and Safety Executive advised against granting planning permission as the site is within the consultation distance for a site that has an extant hazardous substances consent. A Gedling Borough Council report said there was no public safety risk as the Total site had been decommissioned and not been used to store any hazardous substances for a number of years, dismissing the objection.
In a report to the planning committee, a Gedling Borough Council planning officer said: "The application site is within an established industrial estate and will enhance employment use on offer. The built form would respect the character of the area and amenity of adjacent users.
"Highway safety would be respected and parking provision is considered to be acceptable. Subject to conditions the development would be acceptable in respect of flood risk and contamination."
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