A NUMBER of West Devon residents have raised concerns about a planning application for the expansion of a service station near Okehampton.

Whitehouse Services, which owns the petrol station situated between Okehampton and Sticklepath, has submitted a planning application for a replacement highway services building, extended car park and heavy goods vehicle (HGV) parking area and landscaping.

The application was submitted by Whitehouse Services to Dartmoor National Park Authority back in September 2016. Since then planning agents revived plans, removing the initial proposal of a hotel being built alongside the service station.

The agents on behalf of the applicants Whitehouse Services said in a report in its planning application that the proposal would improve road safety by encouraging passing motorists to take a break and therefore reduce tiredness related accidents.

They also stated that the site access arrangements would create improvements to the junction, the expansion would have no adverse affect on the A30 and the design of the proposed new services building was of the highest standard and would create an attractive environment for users of the site, reducing stress related to travelling and providing an accessible environment for the community.

However, a number of residents have raised concerns about the proposed development of the service station.

Rona Grundy, who lives in Belstone who passes the service station regularly, said: ‘I feel very strongly that this scale of development is unnecessary and wholly out of character for Dartmoor. I have nothing against the services, however the expansion is simply not needed or wanted by many residents.’

Okehampton resident Dr Tom Bell commented: ‘I object to this application as it appears to me out of proportion and an absolute eyesore from the whole of the north edge and heights of the Dartmoor National Park. I absolutely support sensible and moderate sized developments that support jobs for the local community, however it is the enormous size of this application right below the park that is so distressing.

‘There are already two very adequate services at Sourton and Whiddon Down. This development threatens the viability of these current businesses.’

While residents have said they felt strongly opposed to the the development, a number of parish councils had a divided opinion on the matter.

Belstone Parish Council has objected on the grounds that the increase in HGVs would lead to associated noise and pollution from emissions and that there would be an added danger for pedestrians, particularly in the area of the crossing from parking to restaurant.

A spokesperson for Belstone Parish Council said: ‘The latest plans are still disproportionately large and out of keeping with the surrounding countryside and would have a considerable impact on those Belstone residents living close to the site. The parish council believes that the development may constitute a departure from the Dartmoor National Park structure plan.’

However, Sticklepath Parish Council wished to support the application.

Lois Rowlands, Sticklepath Parish Council clerk, said: ‘The proposed building design is in keeping with Dartmoor National Park’s aesthetic qualities. It will improve a poor situation which currently exists in relation to over capacity of users of the service station, traffic congestion on the site and on the road and dangerous road usage by both passing motorists and visitors to the site.

‘We held a meeting which several members of our parish attended along with representatives from our neighbouring parishes. The general feeling was of support for the project, however certain issues were a common cause of concern and we would like those issues to be taken into consideration by your planning committee.’

These concerns included the dangerous traffic emerging from the A30 slip road adjacent to the service station, the speed of vehicles along the road adjacent to the service station, and the potential lighting and noise pollution of the development.

Jane Gillard, Okehamton Hamlets Parish Council clerk, said: ‘Councillors agreed not to submit a formal response to the original plans, when the revised plans were submitted they then resolved to support the amended plans as they felt the current highways issues in the vicinity would be improved by these changes. There are regularly issues with traffic in the vicinity, queuing on the slip road from the A30, queuing to get into the service area and traffic exiting the area without looking properly.’

The final decision regarding the application will be made by the Dartmoor National Park Authority in the near future.

The planning number for the application is 0502/16.