New Greggs store in Swindon revealed by planning application

Motor Fuel Ltd, the company which runs the BP petrol station on Cricklade Road in Penhill, has been given permission by planners at Swindon Borough Council to extend the shop building, specifically to install a branch of baked goods giant Greggs.

The company’s application says drivers and other customers are now expecting such facilities at fuelling stations.

It says: “Penhill Service Station already has an established roadside feel and the extended forecourt shop incorporating a food offer will combine to form a more coherent motorist’s facility.

“Enhancing the retail shop merchandising with food and beverage facilities is a major trend within a modern service station which has to evolve in response to accommodate and meet the changing needs and aspirations of consumers.”

The garage on Cricklade Road can add a Greggs (Image: Dave Cox)Motor Fuel Ltd says the new addition to the petrol station will create more jobs: “Staffing for the forecourt shop currently comprises one manager and two staff full-time with three part-time staff and this shop staffing will be maintained.

“The proposed food offer section will be operated with five full-time and three part-time staff. The site opening hours will remain as currently operated being 24 hours every day.”

A nearby resident had written to council planners expressing concerns about the impact of the new development: “Light pollution is a concern given that the Greggs and garage is proposed to be 24-hour.

“Regarding noise: Are there plans for any air condition units or units that would make any noise being added to the outside or inside of the Greggs building? Previously the BP garage added a unit to the back of the building which was so noisy you could hear this from the inside of the property with the TV on so this needed to be moved.”

Those concerns were also shared by Stratton Parish Council.

Planners at Euclid Street seem to have taken these concerns into account.

The application has been given permission, but with a condition that a further noise assessment is made showing that when in operation the noise nuisance has not increased.

There will not be illuminated signs for the new Greggs, and the planners say the reheating of already-baked goods should not be a cause of significant odour, especially as the garage already operated as a branch of Subway.