A SUPERMARKET chain’s bid for a petrol station at a town centre store has been refused by council planners.

Asda applied in January for the four-pump filling station at its site in Holly Mount Way, Rawtenstall.

The proposal included payment kiosks cut into the existing embankment behind the car park.

Six nearby residents objected by letter.

This week Rossendale Council planners rejected the application because of its impact on surrounding historic buildings.

The petrol station in the western corner of the car park would have taken up 25 parking spaces.

Access, including for tanker delivers, would have been from Holly Mount Way off St Mary’s Way.

Rossendale borough planning manager Mike Atherton said: “The proposed development is of a form which would cause unacceptable harm to the setting of the nearby Conservation Area and of Holly Mount House, a Grade II-listed building.

“It is not considered that the public benefits of the proposed development outweigh the harm that would be caused.”

The planning application by Asda promised a ‘coherent, strategic and integrated approach to the landscape management and maintenance of the landscape elements within the site’, including a ‘green retaining wall’ to mitigate its effect on nearby buildings.

Rossendale Council conservation officer Sebastian Pickles said: “The proposal,while to the rear of the site, does have the potential to have further negative impact on the Conservation Area and the setting of Holly Mount House. The proposed kiosk pay station is of poor design and finish.”

Longholme ward’s Cllr Joseph Stevens said: “I believe that the conclusion reached on the petrol station application was the right one.

“The council has taken into consideration not only how the plans would affect local residents, but also the specific concerns of those living nearby.”

Asda failed to respond to the Lancashire Telegraph’s request for a comment.