South Gloucestershire councillors will consider neighbours’ objections next week
Cotswold Service Station in Old Sodbury(Image: Google Maps)
Villagers are fighting plans for a petrol station to start selling alcohol and stay open for two hours later, fearing it could ‘attract undesirables’.
Residents in Old Sodbury have objected to a premises licence application for Cotswold Service Station in Badminton Road.
South Gloucestershire Council licensing sub-committee will decide whether to approve or refuse the request at a meeting on Wednesday, June 11.
None of the authorities, including the police and trading standards, are opposing the application by Niza Southwater Ltd to sell booze for off-sales at the petrol station’s shop from 6am to 11pm daily, and one neighbour has written in support.
But six others have lodged objections.
One wrote: “I object to this application as it can only lead to potential alcohol related problems in the village which, at present, does not attract undesirables.”
Another said: “I object on the grounds of there already being an element of antisocial behaviour in the village, post 9pm.
“A late convenience store may well encourage this, particularly with the sale of alcohol and tobacco products.”
A third added: “I feel that opening until 11pm at this site is excessive.
“The site currently closes at 9pm.
“If the vendor feels that an extension is needed then perhaps 10pm would be acceptable.
“The area is very quiet by then and I just feel that 11pm is outside the general feel of the village.”
Others said the petrol station already caused noise disturbance and traffic problems for neighbours and that an extension to closing time would make this worse.
But one resident wrote: “I support this application as it will increase the offering to villagers, especially with it being the only shop in the village.”
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