PLANS by a major supermarket to open a petrol station in the centre of Kingsbridge have been delayed for a site visit.

District councillors want to see for themselves the site in Higher Union Road where Morrisons hopes to build a canopy-covered forecourt with four fuel pumps, a kiosk, two jet-wash bays, tanker area and air-vacuum area.

Kingsbridge Town Council has expressed traffic and safety concerns about the proposed filling station, which would employ two full-time and six part-time staff.

Police officer Peter Stephens, who lives nearby the proposed filling station, told members of South Hams Council's development management committee on Wednesday that the application was 'utter lunacy'.

He said there were grave concerns about congestion and 'the thousands' of extra cars and lorries that would be generated by the proposal.

'There would be only one way in and one way out,' he said.

'Kingsbridge welcomes tourists in the summer when traffic trebles in the town and this has to be taken into account.'

He highlighted safety concerns for pedestrians including pensioners in sheltered housing and young families as well as the visual impact on nearby listed buildings.

'I would not even be allowed to put a satellite dish on the front of my property,' he said.

He said the site was premium land for employment use and questioned the need for another filling station in the town.

Recommending conditional approval, planning officer Debbie Crowther said the proposed development was compliant with the national planning policy framework.

'The application site lies adjacent to existing employment premises and, although there is residential development in close proximity, the proposed development is in keeping with the character of the site and surroundings in terms of use,' she said.

'The size, layout and design of the development is acceptable within its context, there would be no overriding detrimental impact on the amenity of adjacent neighbours, and no technical objections have been received.'

She said officers from Devon county highways had visited the site on at least three occasions – the latest of which was in response to an independent traffic report – and still raised no objections.

Highways officer Richard Jackson said the junction was presently only operating at 40 per cent of its 90 per cent capacity.

The site is currently occupied by Quay Auto Centre, which has already got planning permission to move its service and MOT business to a purpose built facility further up the road.

Morrisons propose to create a new entrance into the application site opposite Redford Way and traffic would exit on the north side at the point of the existing access.

A new footway is also planned to the west of the site.

The proposal would be smaller in scale and with a reduced height to existing buildings, the committee was told.

Operation of the jet wash and petrol filling pumping equipment would be limited to 7am-10pm on any day.

Floodlighting would be controlled and hours restricted for any illuminated signage.

More than 50 letters of objection were sent to the district council opposing the scheme. Concerns ranged from disturbance to nearby households, light pollution, noise and fumes to detrimental visual impact, the loss of local jobs due to competition, traffic worries and congestion with workers and resident parking, articulated lorries and delivery vehicles.

Points raised in the 75 letters of support included bringing people back into the town with lower fuel prices, keeping the area vibrant and less congestion at the bottom of Kingsbridge.

Councillors agreed to a site visit, as requested by Kingsbridge Town Council, by 18 votes to one, with one abstention.

Both Gareth Glennon on behalf of the applicant and ward member Cllr Simon Wright chose not to address the committee until after the site inspection.

If the plan is approved, it is recommended that Morrisons is asked for a highways contribution of £5,000 for alterations to traffic regulations that would see more yellow lines in the area.