PLANS have been submitted to build a new service station on a parcel of land next to the A39 in Minehead.
Forelle Estates Limited has put forward plans to create an electric vehicle (EV) charging hub – complete with six petrol and diesel pumps and a drive-thru Costa coffee shop – on land off Ellicombe Lane, next to White Lodge Equine and Farm Clinic.
The service station would comprise of 10 EV charging bays, with six to be fast charging bays, but there are plans to phase out the petrol and diesel pumps in the future and replace them with further EV charging points, should the demand for EV continue to rise.
This would provide up to 19 EV charging bays in total.
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Alder King Planning Consultants who submitted the plans on behalf of the applicant, said: “It is anticipated that as the take up of electric vehicles accelerates in the coming years, the demand for petrol and diesel will drop to a level where this part of the development can be removed and replaced with more EV charging points to meet demand.”
They say the EV charging infrastructure in Minehead is currently “very limited,” with facilities restricted to mostly lower voltage charging points located in less convenient locations.
“The application proposal therefore aims to provide much-needed fast-charging facilities in a strategic location on the edge of Minehead, easily accessible to residents and visitors alike,” they added.
Up to 35 new jobs could be created from the proposed development.
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Do we really need another service station in Minehead??
Utilise supermarket car parks please not green field sites , this is simply not needed at all
Why do we need another service station, there’s plenty in Minehead. Adding a Costa is going to produce more rubbish. Misguided development.
I give up every hope of Minehead retaining its charm if this application goes through. It seems that any and every square inch of green is up for grabs irrespective of logic or need. The planning dept., don’t appear to have two brain cells to rub together. They just see shekels raining down from Heaven and that’s what seals the deals!
This is not required on green belt land we have three stations and one in Williton, also where is he power coming from to power there 120kw chargers
An appalling proposal! The Roundabout at the top of Seaward Way is already impossible on Butlin changeover days and the prospect of even more vehicles trying to enter or exit a retail park adjacent to the roundabout pushes thew concept into the absurd.
A very bad idea. Totally unnecessary. There are two petrol stations a few hundred yards away. We don’t need another, especially so near. It’ll only cause congestion at that junction, destroy habitat and recreational spaces.
We do not need a Costa !!
More then enougth petrol stations in Minehead.
Lets not erode the charm of Minehead.
Competition will reduce petrol prices. + Job spaces for locals