PLANS for a new petrol station and trade counters at Dunball roundabout near J23 of the M5 near Bridgwater look set to be given the green light, despite objections from local residents.

The application, which is due to be discussed at Sedgemoor District Council's development committee on Tuesday morning (November 12), includes plans to build a new petrol station, two drive-thru units, car parking and access on land north of the roundabout.

The developers, Monte Blackburn Limited, are also seeking outline permission for 2,421 square metres of land for offices or warehouses.

The proposed access arrangements to the site comprise an entrance only access for eastbound traffic on the A39 and a new two way T-junction on to the A38.

Combined, the new hot food drive-thru, coffee drive thru and petrol station are expected to create up to 80 new jobs, meanwhile the new trade counters will also provide 'an unquantifiable but large number of new employment opportunities' according to the developer.

Initially the proposals were met with a number of objections from the highways authority, the landscape officer, the Parrett Internal Drainage Board, and Historic England.

However after further discussion, tweaks and a number of conditions being added ahead of a second round of consultations,

The parish council objected on the grounds of the development creating traffic congestion, concern for cyclists, highway safety, noise and pollution.

In the planning officers conclusion, it states that the site is allocated in the Local Plan for employment purposes, and that highway safety concerns have been addressed.

It also states that "Issues surrounding flood risk and drainage can be dealt with by way of condition.

"Similarly the concerns of neighbours about amenity impacts can be addressed through planning conditions."

The plans are recommended for approval - subject to a large number of conditions.

In 2006 Sedgemoor District Council refused planning permission for a new retirement village on the site including a new dwellings, a care home and communal facilities.

Dunball Roundabout is facing a transformation as there are also plans to build a two-storey McDonald's Restaurant and another petrol station already in the pipeline.

To view the full Monte Blackburn Limited application, visit the planning section of the Sedgemoor District Council website and search for application number 42/18/00014.