East Belfast petrol station expansion deferred for site visit despite approval recommendation

Plans to expand a petrol filling station and retail unit in east Belfast have been deferred following a proposed site visit, despite planning officials recommending the application for approval.

The proposal was considered at last night’s meeting of Belfast City Council’s planning committee, where members agreed to postpone a decision in order to carry out a site visit before determining the application.

The scheme, brought forward by Maxol Oil, relates to a site at 46–50 Gilnahirk Road and includes plans to extend the existing petrol forecourt and associated retail provision. According to submitted plans prepared by Clarman Partnership, the development would include additional retail floorspace, an expanded convenience store offer, and reconfiguration of the site layout, including alterations to parking and servicing arrangements.

As part of the proposals, a residential property within the site boundary is also earmarked for demolition to facilitate the expansion. The application forms part of wider works to modernise and increase capacity at the existing filling station and retail unit.

Planning officers had assessed the application and recommended approval, concluding that the development complies with the relevant development plan and is acceptable subject to conditions.

However, the scheme has attracted a number of objections from local residents and representatives, with concerns raised around increased traffic in the area, road safety, parking pressure, noise impacts, privacy issues for neighbouring properties, and the potential environmental impact of an expanded forecourt operation. A petition was also submitted as part of the consultation process.

At the committee meeting, councillors decided that a site visit was necessary before reaching a final decision, despite the officer recommendation for approval.

The application will now be brought back to a future meeting of the planning committee following the visit, when elected members will reconsider the proposal in full.

No final decision has yet been made on the development.