Concerns about the impact a proposed electric vehicle (EV) charging hub and drive-thru restaurant could have on town centre businesses are among the reasons more than 150 objections have been made about a scheme in North Staffordshire.
Daily Focus reported last month that George Developments Limited is looking to develop land opposite the George and Dragon pub on the A34 Stone Road, in Meaford, near Stone, which could create 50 jobs.
But so far, 163 objections have been submitted to Stafford Borough Council with only five comments received in favour of the plans.
Other concerns raised include the site’s location on Green Belt land, the impact it could have on wildlife and traffic, its proximity to the river as well as noise and litter.
Stone Town Council and Stone Rural Parish Council have both said they strongly object to the application and Councillor James Nixon has called in the application for consideration by the borough council’s planning committee because of its Green Belt location.
One of the objectors wrote: “It will take away business from Stone town centre, especially having electric vehicle charging. Would it not be better to local vehicle charging stations near to the town so drivers and their passengers can walk into the centre while their car charges?”
Another added: “Having a service station just outside of Stone will not encourage people to stop and spend money in the town centre. This service station would risk diverting tourism out of town, harming the independent business we are lucky to have.”
And another said: “This project will also detract business from local companies. Companies that need all the help they can get in these austere times.”
The proposal is for 31 dedicated electric charging bays, canopies with solar panels on the road, a picnic area and a 438 sq m drive-thru restaurant for an unnamed operator with 34 parking spaces.
Documents submitted by the plans say the restaurant would provide “abundant job opportunities and services” whilst the EV charging hub would help address a “notable shortfall” in the provision of ultra-rapid charging infrastructure along the A34 and the M6.
A planning statement reads: “With the development of proposed EV charging stations along the strategic road network, more pass-by trade will be encouraged to visit local businesses and nearby settlements or villages, providing new consumers to support the local economy.”
The proposed site is situated between a Starbucks drive-thru which opened on the A34 at the end of last year and the site of the recently-demolished Darlaston Inn pub, which is set to become a petrol station.
It seems that objectors have misunderstood the purpose of this application. High power chargers such as are installed in this kind of hub are intended for passing vehicles to make short duration stops and top up their batteries. The also make provision for HGV and towing vehicles by providing drive-through charging bays.
To encourage trade within the town cheap low-speed chargers need to be placed in car parks in the town where people are likely to leave their vehicles for 2 – 3 hours.
Both kinds of infrastructure are needed.
It does not make sense to be building a petrol station on the site of the old Darlaston Inn when petrol stations are closing down.
As a country we need EV charging hubs on roads such as the A34, and this is a perfect place for it. Although shown as green belt, the actual green belt clearly starts on the other side of the river.
We need EV hubs!!!!