June 1, 2022 5.00 pm This story is over 21 months old

New Horncastle fuel station would be noise and light nuisance, residents claim

“It would light the area up like a beacon”
Artists' impressions of the approved Horncastle petrol garage on Lincoln Road. | Photo: Rutherford Holdings

A new petrol station that Horncastle town council opposes in “strong possible terms” is set to get the go-ahead.

Plans have been submitted to knock down the existing Mountview Garage, workshop and petrol station on Lincoln Road in the town.

This would be replaced with a large new store and forecourt, which neighbours say would increase noise and light pollution, and be inappropriate for the area.

East Lindsey District Council officers have recommended that the scheme be approved at next week’s planning meeting.

One concerned resident said they feared constant noise from customers, engines, jet washes and car doors.

A person living on Lincoln Road added: “An opening window of 6am – 11pm will only attract unwanted presence of young drivers with nowhere to go, who will just ‘hang around’.”

Residents are concerned about a much bigger noise and light impact | Photo: Rutherford Holdings

A petrol price totem was removed from the plans in response to more complaints from residents.

But some local people say the store will still “light the area up like a beacon”.

Horncastle Town Council has agreed with objections, saying: “The plans are not in keeping with the conservation area which it borders.”

It is also concerned there haven’t been plans on drainage or bat conservation.

The application from Rutherford Holdings says “every effort being made to create a design scheme which is both attractive and functional, providing a retail unit which raises the standard of the existing street-scene and allows for a first class customer experience.”

The plan will go before councillors on Thursday, June 9.