MP backs St Ives Co-op filling station protest

HUNTINGDON MP Jonathan Djanogly has added his personal objection to plans to open a petrol station next to the Rainbow store in St Ives.

HUNTINGDON MP Jonathan Djanogly has added his personal objection to plans to open a petrol station next to the Rainbow store in St Ives.

The MP has written to the Planning inspectorate objecting to the Anglia Regional Co-op’s appeal against Huntingdonshire District Council’s refusal of planning consent for the proposed petrol station.

He told constituent and fellow-objector Philip Sly, of Constable Road, St Ives: “I can certainly understand your concerns about the building of the petrol station and the negative impact it is likely to have on traffic, the local environment and businesses in the area.

“I have therefore written to the Planning Inspectorate to express my personal objections to the building of the petrol station.

“I do hope that you are successful in preventing the application from being approved against the wishes of the local residents and the District Council.”

The Co-op had a planning consent for the filling station, but it expired last year before work could start at the site.

Its application to renew the consent was refused by councillors earlier this year, against the advice of planners.

The Co-op says there is no material planning difference between the original consent and the application to renew it, and it should have been allowed.

There will be no formal public hearing of the appeal, which will be determined after an inspector has visited the site and considered evidence.