New Chorley petrol station scheme - with a Co-op store - to create up to 30 jobs

A new Co-op store is planned for a redeveloped Chorley petrol station - operating since the 1950s - on one of the main routes in the town.
The Bungalow petrol station on Moor Road, ChorleyThe Bungalow petrol station on Moor Road, Chorley
The Bungalow petrol station on Moor Road, Chorley

The proposed scheme at the Bungalow Filling Station, Moor Road, will include the demolition of the existing petrol station and shop.

A replacement petrol station will be built, together with a new shop which will be operated by the Co-op.

The development is expected to create up to 30 jobs.

The Co-op already has a store opposite the petrol station.

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But a planning statement supporting the application to Chorley Council says the company's current store, an old funeral parlour building, "no longer suits the requirements of a modern convenience store and does not have a strong visual presence".

The statement adds: "The redevelopment of the site will enable the Co-op to deliver a modern facility in a highly prominent location.

"It is understood that the Co-op will apply for planning permission to redevelop their existing site for alternative uses in due course.

"Importantly, the application site provides the only petrol filling station on the western side of Chorley.

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"As has been established at appeal elsewhere, petrol filling stations provide important transport infrastructure.

"The number of petrol filling station forecourts in the UK is experiencing a gradual decline.

"Experian Catalyst 2019 highlights that the number of petrol forecourts in the UK has fallen to just 8,382, compared to the 1967 high of 39,958.

"Of these forecourts, 7,402 have a kiosk/shop.

"This is supported further by the statistical website Statista.com, which reveals that the number of petrol filling station forecourts in the UK has fallen from 13,107 in 2000 to 8,442 at the end of 2018.

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"Conversely, the number of registered UK vehicles at the end of March 2019 was 38.5 million (DfT Vehicle Licensing Statistics).

"The effect is that fewer petrol stations are serving more motorists and, as such, existing facilities are becoming increasingly busier, placing greater pressure on the facility.

"New modern facilities are therefore required to address this demand.

"New facilities are required, however, to provide larger kiosks/shops than previous requirements.

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"This has evolved from the number of fuel suppliers decreasing in conjunction with a decrease in the profit margins of fuel.

"Consequently, new facilities are no longer viable if retailers are to rely solely on fuel sales. The larger kiosk/shop is now a recognised trend within the industry.

"The proposed redevelopment of the Bungalow filling station site will enable the delivery of a modern petrol filling station with larger shop to meet the expectations of a modern roadside facility.

"It is intended to serve primarily the needs of the motorist, whilst in addition the proposal will provide a complementary neighbourhood shopping role by offering an extended opening period and offering “top-up” goods only."

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"In addition to the fuel sales, the shop will provide a range of high-quality food, including ready meals, fresh produce and staple groceries together with alcohol and fresh flowers and other car related products associated with a petrol filling station kiosk/shop.

"In addition, there will be an external cash point and toilet facilities. It is anticipated that the development will generate 25 to 30 full and part time positions, which will be recruited locally."

Moor Road is one of the main routes in and out of Chorley, connecting the town with the villages of Charnock Richard and Coppull to the east and then onto to the M6 motorway.

The site comprises a petrol filling station, which has operated there since the 1950s.

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Over the years the on-site building has expanded and been modified.

It now includes a Londis kiosk/shop. The Londisis located centrally within the site.

The applicant for the planned redevelopment is Mumbles 1 Ltd.

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