Concern over Castle Brom petrol station's opening hours

FUELLING CONTROVERSY: The Total Service Station, on the Chester
Road, wants to make its 24 hour opening hours permanent

A CASTLE Bromwich petrol station should be given the go-ahead to permanently open 24/7, planning chiefs have concluded.

In April 2013, the Total Service Station, at 296 Chester Road, received approval to operate right through the night on a trial basis.

On Wednesday, councillors must decide whether the arrangements should be allowed to remain in place.

There had previously been concern about anti social behaviour, people congregating at the forecourt in the early hours and an increase in littering.

Janice Stokes, one of several residents to object to the changes, said: “The service station is next door to a sheltered scheme for older residents [Chestnut Close]. Increased night time traffic would cause disturbance to residents.”

Castle Bromwich Parish Council has also raised concerns, arguing that there is already 24 hour provision elsewhere on the Chester Road.

Despite this, Solihull Council’s planning officers argue that no evidence of an adverse impact on the local area has emerged during the trial period.

They recommended that the planning committee rubber-stamps the proposals, although a condition would be that there are no fuel deliveries between 9.30pm-7.30am.