Oil giant BP has won permission from the Department of the Environment to redevelop a service station on the A13.

A Government inspector conducted a planning inquiry into the proposals for the Orsett site when Thurrock Council failed to determine its planning application within the statutory time limit.

Now the inspector has ruled that BP can increase the sales area of the shop on the A13 westbound, replace the forecourt canopies and introduce a new pump layout.

The council fought the plans because, although it recognised the need for a filling station on this stretch of road, it felt any extension of the garage would be an intolerable intrusion into the green belt.

Published Monday October 28, 2002

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