A19 service station near Hartlepool gets upgrade go-ahead

Proposals were lodged last year to install underground storage tanks and new petrol pumps at the A19 services northbound at Elwick.

The plans involve two new underground storage tanks being installed adjacent to the forecourt, each containing 55,000 litres, which will be split to accommodate four grades of fuel.

Hartlepool Borough Council planning officers have now approved the plans by Ron Perry and Son Ltd, paving the way for work to start.

A report from council planning officer Laura Chambers said: “The proposed development would see the improvement of an existing petrol filling station, local policies seek to support rural businesses and therefore the proposals are considered acceptable in principle.

“The scheme is not considered detrimental to highway safety subject to conditions to secure appropriate signage during construction.”

A planning statement on behalf of Ron Perry and Son Ltd said the upgrade is needed to bring the northbound site in line with the southbound site, which has been totally redeveloped over recent years.

It said: “The northbound site has been upgraded to serve the need of the ever-increasing number of motorists.

“The site has several underground storage tanks of different capacities. These are fully stretched and there is an urgent need to provide more storage capacity to serve the motor vehicle forecourts.

“The large oil companies are bringing new fuel grades to the market including an Ultimate Unleaded fuel and a new ultimate Diesel fuel. There is no capacity within the existing tanks to accommodate these.

“Each tank will contain 55,000 litres which will be split 45/10 litres to accommodate four grades of fuel.

“The existing petrol pumps have insufficient nozzles to serve all four grades. Therefore, the pumps need to be replaced with new.”

The new pump islands will also be altered to provide a walk-through space between the islands leading to the shop, according to the plans.

Meanwhile a new raised rubber speed hump will be installed to slow vehicles approaching the pump islands.

All works will be undertaken to fire officer approval and none of the existing tanks will be de-commissioned.

The site also offers shops, toilets with showers and a café.

Nic Marko, Local Democracy Reporting Service