Stradishall Service Station, on the A143 Bury Road, near Haverhill, revamp plans which attracted scores of objections refused by West Suffolk Council

Plans to completely remodel a village service station which attracted scores of objections from businesses, residents and a council have been rejected.

Fuel Energy UK’s proposals to create a new petrol forecourt station at Harding Garage Services, on the A143 Bury Road, Stradishall, near Haverhill, were refused by West Suffolk Council yesterday.

It would have seen the existing shop demolished to make way for a new unit alongside a takeaway outlet, new pump islands and a canopy and the offset fillers and underground tanks repositioned.

The owner of the Stradishall Convenience Store, next to the station, objected to the plans. They said, while they understood the importance of competition, the plans were unfair and could cause two businesses to fail, the knock on effect of which would be job and facility losses for residents.

They also highlighted how the village’s Post Office is in the shop, which they said was an important service for the community and should be protected.

Café 33 is next to the shop and also objected to the plans. It expressed concerns for safety should the development have gone ahead as it said the proposals did not allow space for deliveries to be made by HGVs on the site, so they would have to park on the road.

It said this would cause a build up of traffic and create a risk of dangerous overtaking by drivers.

It also highlighted the plans did not offer enough parking spaces (11) and how this could affect the café as customers wishing to use the shop may take up its spots.

Stradishall Parish Council recommended the plans be refused. It echoed the concerns over parking, highways safety and the impact on neighbouring businesses, while also highlighting that the convenience store was a spot where school children catch their buses from.

With no pedestrian crossings, students either have to negotiate crossing the A143 at busy times or going through the garage, the risks from which would be heightened if the plans were approved.

It added the visibility splay for the site would be poor, which would affect drivers turning onto the 40mph stretch A143 towards Haverhill, which it said was already a hotspot for accidents.

Resident objections to the plans numbered 13, which cited factors including the scale of the plans not being suitable in the rural location, impacts on residential amenity, the noise from additional vehicles and light pollution.

One resident recognised the garage needed to be updated, but said traffic on the A143, in general, did not comply with the 40mph limit, so a bigger shop complex alongside the prison expansion would make the road busier and more dangerous.

In their refusal notice, planners cited the risks stemming from a predicted shortage of onsite parking which would cause an overspill onto the A143 and the lack of safe pedestrian routes.

They also highlighted how the intensified use would greatly affect the amenity of nearby residents.

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The applicant can appeal to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.