Council dismiss appeal for petrol station plans on Mellor Brook pub

Plans to build a petrol station and convenience store on the site of the former Windmill Pub on Preston New Road, Mellor Brook were rejected three times by South Ribble Borough Council following submissions by Spar retailer James Hall and Co.  

Residents hoped they had finally seen the back of the controversial proposal for the former pub, when it was thrown out by South Ribble Borough Council last March.

Councillors ruled plans James Hall and Co would have "increased disturbance” and had a “detrimental impact” on those living nearby, echoing a 2018 decision, later confirmed on appeal.

However, the firm lodged a last-minute appeal against the March refusal in October, but following a hearing last month, the planning inspectorate dismissed the appeal.

The development proposed the demolition of the existing pub and related infrastructure; erection of convenience store and petrol filling station including associated canopy; six fuel pumps; underground storage tanks; EV charging points; car parking and associated landscaping.

A report from the planning inspectorate stated: “In a previous appeal which was dismissed, the inspector, amongst other matters, found harm in respect of the design and appearance of the convenience store.

“According to the supporting evidence provided by the appellant, the public house, with traditional opening hours, is estimated to generate around 303 vehicle movements daily, whilst the appeal proposals (the combination of the convenience store and the petrol filling station) are expected to generate in the region of 1966 vehicle movements on a daily basis.

“This equates to an overall increase of 1663 vehicle movements per day, a total of 832 additional vehicles using the site.

“In my mind, whilst the appellant’s approach is comprehensive in terms of overall noise levels, taking into consideration the high levels of traffic on Preston New Road, I am not convinced that it fully takes account of other noises that would result from customers on the site, such as voices and car audio systems as well as the opening and closing of car doors.

The Windmill pub (Image: Council)

“These would be more sudden noises than traffic noise, which gradually builds up and falls away as vehicles go past.

“Overall, I find that the appeal proposals would result in a significant amount of noise and disturbance coming from the site and from vehicles arriving and departing.

“I find that the potential therefore exists for an increase in noise and disturbance to adversely affect the living conditions of the occupiers of nearby residential properties.

“The proposal does not accord with the development plan as a whole and there are no other considerations, including the Framework, that indicate I should take a different decision other than in accordance with this.

“For the reasons outline above, I conclude that the appeal should be dismissed.”

In 2020 residents reported concerns that the derelict building was being used as a venue to film pornographic films after seeing 'lights on in the upstairs'.

There were also complaints about rat infestations at the shutdown pub.

The residents called for action but were shocked when a planning application was submitted to build a petrol station and Spar convenience store.

While the residents wanted a clean-up of the site, they raised issues with the petrol station plan and believe it would be better suited to affordable housing.

John Greaves, of the Samlesbury Residents Forum, said at the time: “We were not expecting another petrol station plan as there were three applications previously and in 2017 South Ribble Council’s planning committee refused it.

“Then it went to appeal and the planning inspector kicked it out.

“It is going to go before South Ribble Council again to see if they can get it approved.

“But we think it is dangerous. The junction of Branch Road is really bad for traffic.

“That road has a 7.5 tonne limit yet there will be 44 tonne petrol lorries there.

“Lots of people in the neighbourhood want it to be turned into housing and affordable housing.”

In October, people living in Preston New Road erected a banner opposite the former pub which simply read: “We don’t want a petrol station.”