New petrol station and drive-thru takeaway planned for Greater Manchester car showroom site

A new petrol station, drive-thru takeaway and ‘food-to-go’ pods are planned for a car showroom site just 300 yards from Bury town centre. A planning application lodged this week reveals the plans for the ‘Car Time’ showroom and car park on Bell Lane.

Applicants Pearl Forecourts Ltd wish to transform the ‘prominent location’ and say ‘the site is ideal for roadside services as it is located along a main road and among numerous ‘traffic builders’ including the town centre and Moorgate retail park’. If approved the proposals would see the demolition of the existing car sales building and the redevelopment of the site for a new petrol station, alongside a drive-thru unit and a detached block of two ‘food-to go’ convenience pods.

The documents do not say which brands would occupy the drive-thru unit and food-to-go pods but pictures included in the plans show similar developments used by the same applicant with Greggs and Subway outlets occupying the units.

A design and access statement in support of the plans, said: “Bury town centre generally is considered vibrant with low vacancy rates. “Permitting the proposal would in no way ‘harm’ the vitality of the town centre and the proposed development would cater primarily for passing motorists rather than be perceived as a ‘destination’.

“It would bring to fruition a modern roadside services offer which caters for the 21st century consumer. “Many developments have seen old-style kiosk buildings replaced with much larger retail units to cater for what is now considered a ‘standard’ petrol filling station that caters for ‘roadside’ consumer need. “Permitting the proposal would see the re-use of a brownfield, readily accessible site to bring about a much-needed roadside service, promoting consumer choice and generating employment opportunities.” Planners at Bury will decide on the plans at a date to be decided.