Move to open 24-hour off licence at M6 service station ‘temporarily’ approved after ‘mix-up’
A move to open a 24-hour off licence at a motorway service station has been 'temporarily' backed by the council. Sandwell[1] Council's planning committee was forced to allow the Gateway Service Station, in Birmingham Road, Great Barr, next to junction seven of the M6, to open 24 hours a day despite concerns from neighbours. During the planning meeting, it was discovered that a different council department had already awarded the garage a 24-hour licence months earlier. The 'temporary' permission means the decision for the 24-hour garage will be reviewed in a year.
The council's planning committee was first asked to decide on permanently changing the garage's opening hours in November last year, but a ruling was delayed to allow for noise tests after complaints from neighbours about future disruption and anti-social behaviour. In the meantime, the council's licensers awarded the garage a 24-hour licence. The planning application re-emerged when councillors met last month and following talks with the council, the garage agreed to request temporary two-year permission for the extended opening hours.
Cllr Elen Fenton was the first to raise her concerns about the application at the meeting on March 27 and pointed to a roadside sign advertising the garage's off-licence. Cllr Fenton said there was a big difference between a 24-hour garage solely selling petrol and a 24-hour off-licence focusing on selling alcohol. But while there were concerns, the committee was told it had little power to stop the 24-hour plans - especially with the already-approved licence.
Cllr Preece said refusing planning permission - and adding restrictions on alcohol - was "trying to attach the cart after the bull had bolted" after learning the council had already issued a 24-hour licence.