Controversial fuel depot plan abandoned before council decision

A controversial plan to turn a former garage in Charvil into a fuel tank farm has been withdrawn.

In April, Speedy Fuels, a subsidiary of Crown Oil Ltd, applied to Wokingham Borough Council to change the use of the old Grove Service Station in Old Bath Road to a fuel storage and distribution facility.

The site was most recently occupied by car body shop Prince Brothers, which closed in November.

The proposals, submitted under reference 250959, included eight fuel oil storage tanks at the centre of the site, the demolition of a number of existing buildings, and the installation of four loading bays known as skids.

One building would have been retained for administration and maintenance of the company’s vehicle fleet.

The business would have operated from 5am to 6pm on weekdays, from 5am to 2pm on Saturdays, and from 6am to 4pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

Up to 132 heavy goods vehicles, cars and vans were expected to access the site on weekdays, dropping to 32 on Saturdays and eight on Sundays.

There were a whopping 331 documents entered into the planning portal – with scores of comments from members of the public and councillors, including a raft of objections.

Objections raised concerns about traffic volume and road safety, the proximity of the site to homes, and the environmental risks of storing large quantities of fuel near Charvil Country Park West.

The parish council also objected, warning that any spillages could pollute nearby watercourses and harm wildlife in the nature reserve.

An ecological impact assessment commissioned by the applicant acknowledged that the country park could be indirectly affected by pollution or spillages during construction and operation.

It said a construction environmental management plan would be in place to limit harm to biodiversity.

Speedy Fuels said all storage tanks would be built within secondary containment systems, known as bunding, to prevent leaks reaching the ground or waterways.

It also said an automated emergency shut-off system would be installed to stop any fuels and oils being released into the environment. The company planned to fuel its own fleet with hydrotreated vegetable oil to reduce emissions.

Despite these assurances, the strength of local opposition was clear. Objections included fears about noise, air quality, and the industrial character of the site clashing with its surroundings. Others argued the development would bring a significant increase in vehicle movements to a busy stretch of road.

The application was withdrawn on Monday, August 11, before the council could make a decision.

No reason for the withdrawal has been made public, and it is not yet known if the plans will be resubmitted in a revised form.