New SPAR and ‘long-needed’ filling station in Grange gets green light

A town is set to get its own ‘long-needed’ petrol station after plans for a new convenience store were given the green light.

The prime site near the Grange’s railway station has been home to charity superstore AGE UK for four years, and was previously a Toyota car dealership.

But now plans have been approved to knock it down and build a SPAR, a filling station and a new car park. Thirty jobs will be created – 15 full time and 15 part time – in addition to the short-term jobs in construction.

The proposals were approved by South Lakeland District Council’s planning committee. Councillor Malcolm Lamb, who represents Ambleside & Grasmere, said: “I understand that Grange has long needed a petrol station. But the fact is that in nine years and two weeks’ time new petrol car sale will be banded.

So it seems an odd time to be putting up a petrol station. “I think a convenience store works, but not a petrol station.”

Cllr David Webster, who represents Ulverston East, said: “There is no fuel in Grange and currently it’s a good drive just to get to a petrol station. But when fuel goes out of fashion, we could replace the petrol tanks with charging points, so it becomes future proof.”

Planning documents submitted by developers James Hall said there was a ‘trend towards the use of discount food stores’.

It said: “A reduction in the number of people undertaking a weekly ‘big shop’ has resulted in an increase in the development of new local convenience stores within residential areas facilitating more sustainable shopping patterns and supporting social inclusion for those without private transport.”

The site on Lindale Road is close to areas of recent flooding.

Andy Baxter, a resident of Windermere Road and leader of the Windermere Road flood action group, said: “Broadly speaking the residents are in favour of the new plan however the frequency and severity of flooding on our land could still take place if errors are not fixed.

“The capacity to store storm water started failing in the area when the nearby car park was built. It is far worse than people realise so the culvert to a nearby ornamental pond needs to be improved first.”

Debora Smith, the applicant’s agent, said £20,000 will be spent on a new foot bridge to the car park to the north of the site.

“My client will also provide two EV charging points at the garage and increase the size of the culvert to take away further risks of flooding to Windermere Road,” she said.

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the plans but granted the application with the condition that opening times are restricted and flood prevention work must take place first.