Crowle HGV natural gas fuelling station back on cards

Brit European Group is seeking permission for the change of use of part of a former transport yard at the Junction Two Business Park, Double Rivers, near Crowle, for a compressed natural gas facility which would be used as a stop off for heavy goods vehicles using the M180.

The matter was rejected in July this year after concerns were raised on the potential “adverse effect on the residential amenities that occupants of nearby properties might reasonably expect to enjoy by reason of noise, odour and disturbance from lorry movements”.

Further to the refusal, the applicant has now submitted a supplementary statement to explain the proposal fully.

It states: “The number of vehicles planned to use the site is up to 30.

“The majority of these will be refilling during the hours of 6am and 9pm. However it is not expected that there will be much use of the facility before 7am or after 8pm to the extent that any activity in this early/late period will probably be exceptional.

“The CNG station has one compressor which does not run on a continual basis.

“Given the distance to the nearest dwelling (approximately 60m) and the intervening hedgerow and other physical features such noise levels will not give rise to any nuisance.”

It goes on: “Natural Gas is an expensive fuel and as such is not wasted.

“There are no open vents such as is found on petrol and diesel forecourts.

“There is a slight chance that odour can be detected on very rare occurrences.”

A spokesman for Brit European Group said access to the compound would be fully automated, with only authorised personnel being allowed to refuel at the site, stressing the plans were driven by a desire to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Crowle town councillors previously raised safety, environmental and traffic concerns.

The matter is set to go before NLC planning committee.