A CONTROVERSIAL plan to redevelop a service station on the A39 near Bridgwater has been given the green light.

The existing Greenway Garage will be demolished and replaced with a brand new filling station, a car wash, sales building and forecourt after the proposal was approved by Sedgemoor District Council’s development committee meeting on Tuesday, February 13.

The plans have previously been deferred twice as councillors raised concerns over road safety.

Amendments to the planning application have since been made and cars will enter the site from the front of the garage instead of from Skimmerton Lane.

But Wembdon Parish Council has maintained its position in objecting to the plan because it is too close to the junction with the A39 and Skimmerton Lane which is described as an ‘accident blackspot’.

The parish council said: “There have been two serious road traffic collisions at this junction since this application was first submitted.

“The most recent was on December 18 last year when the A39 was closed for two hours. The proposed amendments to the the entry will not improve road safety.”

Wembdon Parish Council also has concerns that cars travelling along a road with a 60mph speed limit would encounter a queuing cars in the centre of the road waiting to enter the garage site.

Somerset County Council’s highways team has withdrawn its objection as the new plan means people will no longer need to use Skimmerton Lane when using the garage.

Ward councillor Ann Bown had initially objected on highways grounds and while she still has concerns over road safety.

She said: “I have looked at the new plans for this development and accept county highways’ with no entrance from Skimmerton Lane and to have the entrance in and out of the front of the garage. We need real assurances the improvements that have been set out will work.”

Cllrs Gill Slocombe and Rachael Caswell, adjacent ward members, said they had some concerns over road safety but added: “We feel this will be a vast improvement to have this garage up and running once again.”

The consultation saw 250 comments received in support of the application welcoming the road improvements and greater facilities, such as a potential Subway and Costa.

However, 88 comments were received objecting to the application on increased traffic, noise and pollution.

To view the plans, search 51/17/00016 on the planning page of Sedgemoor District Council’s website.