Asda store plan for Ashley Road Esso petrol station approved

A planning application for the major redevelopment of the Esso garage site in Ashley Road, Parkstone, have been given the green light by BCP Council officers.

Owners EG Group submitted the proposal to decommission the existing petrol filling station and demolish all structures currently on the land.

The approval means a new 250 metres-squared premises will be built to deliver a 24-hour shop.

It included a requirement to bring forward a scheme to provide a new pedestrian crossing before the store opens.

The Esso petrol station in Ashley Road

A report by an unnamed planning officer said: “The principle of development is considered acceptable.

“The proposal is in keeping with the surrounding area and will not detrimentally impact the character and appearance of the area.

“The proposal will not cause material harm to the amenities of neighbouring properties.

“With the attachment of conditions, the proposal will not detrimentally impact highway safety or parking.

“The proposal will not detrimentally impact protected trees.”

The existing access arrangements to the site will be maintained, while parking will be provided alongside electric charging points and disabled bays.

The condition in relation to the pedestrian crossing, such as a zebra crossing or a signalised crossing, across Ashley Road and adjacent to the site. This must be submitted and agreed with the local authority within three months of work starting on site and be fully implemented before the store opens.

EG Group said the planned store is “fit for purpose as a top-up function rather than act as a comprehensive convenience store”.

A planning and retail statement submitted by planning consultants Asbri said the petrol station is “underperforming”. The owners had brought forward the development “in order to safeguard its positive use”.

“The decommissioning of petrol filling stations is a time-consuming cost hungry process,” the statement said.

“There are few prospective uses which would enable the viable redevelopment to be undertaken and a positive use brought forward at such sites.

“The proposed development is therefore considered a positive use of a potentially long-term vacant site, which will result in a series of benefits for the local community, in addition to economic benefits by way of job creation.”