A bid by Shell for an electric vehicle charging hub at a Norfolk petrol station has been withdrawn.
An application was made by Shell UK Oil Products Ltd to South Norfolk Council for “an electric vehicle recharging hub” and associated works at Shell Beccles at Gillingham services on the busy A146/A143 roundabout.
But the proposal has now been withdrawn.
It follows an ecology and biodiversity officer advising that “the proposal be refused due to loss of a non-designated asset - Gillingham roundabout roadside nature reserve”.
She said: “The proposal does not conserve and enhance the natural environment by not avoiding harm to non-designated assets.”
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The application sought to provide five bays to the east of the petrol filling station forecourt.
In the covering letter, it said the facility would be “supporting motorists on the A146 and the A143 and the wider area, reducing CO2 emissions from road transport and reducing oil dependency as a transport fuel".
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“This proposal provides the opportunity to meet targets for greenhouse gas reduction from road transport, improving air quality standards and increase the use of alternative fuels by domestic drivers,” it added.
The highway authority at Norfolk County Council raised no objection to the application.
Shell took occupation of the former BP fuelling station last year.
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Motor Fuel Ltd had a permitted application for a “new substation and forecourt canopy” in the same site, but it was not implemented.
Gillingham services, also commonly known as Hearts Services, currently includes a McDonald’s, KFC, Starbucks, and a Shell garage.
An application was submitted last year to see the site grow with a farm shop, BP electric vehicle charging hub, and a M&S food store.
It also proposes a drive-thru Greggs and six trade counter units.
That application is still pending consideration.
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