Greggs to open at Wakefield petrol station

A Greggs is set to open at a Wakefield petrol station, after plans were approved.

The scheme will see a car wash building at Walnut Filling Station in Sandal converted to accommodate the bakery.

Proposals submitted to Wakefield Council said the development would create a more "versatile and valued amenity" at the Barnsley Road premises.

The plans were approved despite eight residents objecting to the plans, due to concerns over an increase in traffic and anti-social behaviour at the site.

However, an officer's report said the scheme complied with local and national planning policies and was "acceptable in principle".

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a planning statement submitted on behalf of Motor Fuel Group said the number of petrol stations in the UK had reduced by 56% since 2000.

It said: "Petrol stations have been likened to Post Offices and local shops as vital community facilities which are rapidly disappearing.

"The opportunity to deliver an enhanced petrol filling station which meets a recognised local need should be embraced."

The scheme also includes creating five new car parking spaces and extending the car wash building to accommodate an indoor seating area for customers.

The document added: "The proposal will result in the loss of the existing car wash facility.

"While this represents a reduction in service diversity, the impact is considered minimal due to the limited operational role and declining demand for car wash facilities.

"The replacement of a car wash with a nationally recognised food retailer introduces a more versatile and valued amenity, contributing to the vitality of the site."

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