Residents vow to fight petrol station plans

Drumbeg residents who have been fighting plans for service stations to be built on the motorway close to their homes were outraged to learn that the company behind the scheme is now seeking further planning permission to expand the site even further.

Various companies have sought to secure permission for the site over the years, with Petrogas Ltd, who currently operate all the motorway service areas on the island of Ireland under the Applegreen brand, finally being granted permission to construct M1 service stations last year by the Planning Appeals Commission.

However, earlier this month the company applied to the Planning Service to considerably expand the site, much to the distress of local residents, who will be severely affected by the development.

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One of the residents, Mr Ian Farris, who has campaigned against applications for the site for some twenty years, said there were serious concerns about the increased impact, not only on residents, but on the environment, if the site is expanded.

“Our main concerns are the increase in light and noise pollution created by the site,” he said. “We are also concerned about the impact on wildlife. There is evidence that there are badgers, bats and buzzards in the area.”

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson has been supporting the residents in objecting and has said the move by the company to expand the site “makes a mockery of the planning process.”

He said: “I very much share the concerns of local residents about this further planning application to make yet more changes to the scheme that was agreed by the Planning Appeals Commission.

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“In the end, what is the point of the planning system if applicants can simply apply to have the principals overturned by submitting subsequent planning applications? It makes a mockery of the planning process.

“I will be supporting the residents in opposing the plans to expand this site,” he concluded.