Greggs ‘pod-like structure’ approved at Essex petrol station

Planning permission has been granted for a branch of bakery Greggs to be housed in a "pod-like structure" at an Essex petrol station. Despite an objection from North Weald Bassett Parish Council, which raised concerns that the takeaway would contribute to increased litter and unwarranted traffic movement in the area, plans were approved for the new addition to Thornwood Common Service Station in High Road, Thornwood.

At a meeting held last week (August 2) where plans were presented to the committee by planning officer Graham Courtney, a number of council members argued that the Greggs pod would constitute inappropriate development of metropolitan green belt land, although the building will replace two disused shipping containers in the current location.

Councillor Holly Whitbread (Con., Epping Lindsey and Thornwood Common) said: "This is a village and a community, and I'm very concerned about impact on residents."

Epping Forest District Council vice chairman Les Burrows (Con., Epping Lindsey and Thornwood Common) called the development "a step too far". Others voiced their worries that the proposed opening hours between 5am and 10pm from Monday to Sunday could potentially trigger a spike in anti-social behaviour, as well as noise complaints from residents.

However, Councillor Jaymey McIvor (Con., North Weald Bassett) pointed out that many shift workers, particularly medical staff commuting to and from Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, could benefit from the later opening and closing times.

He said: "I can't see (Greggs) being a huge destination for antisocial behaviour at those times of day. It's not a McDonald's or a KFC-type of environment."

Ultimately, planning permission for the pod was granted with conditions put forward by Cllr Whitbread and Councillor John Philip (Con., Theydon Bois).

A litter picking scheme will be enforced on-site to mitigate concerns surrounding litter left by customers, and the store will open for business an hour later than initially proposed from 6am in order to avoid causing a nuisance to neighbouring residents.

References

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