Filling Station Plan: Inquiry
“Half-a-dozen indifferent reasons will not equal one good reason,” declared Mr. F. Blennerhassett, when he spoke against objections to a petrol filling station made at a local inquiry in Rushden Council Chamber on Wednesday.

The inquiry, conducted by Mr. L. Cook Hall, a Ministry of Housing and Local Government inspector, was into a decision of Rushden Urban Council, acting on behalf of the local planning authority to refuse permission to build a filling station on Bedford Road, Rushden. Mr. J. Kautze appealed against the decision.

Mr. Blennerhassett hinted that the Northamptonshire County Council, for whom Rushden Council had acted, could find no real objection to the plans, but had put forward a number of comparatively insignificant objections.

Appearing for the appellant he said that the proposed filling station was situated on land owned by Mr. Kautz, who had been given permission about 18 months ago to develop the whole site for houses.

More Economical
Since that time it had been decided to make more economical use of the land by building the filling station on part of it. No objections to plans had been made by the Ministry of Transport.

Mr. Blennerhassett disputed objections of inadequate visibility of the road and said that road safety for the area would be improved because the houses on the site would now be reached by a side road instead of having direct access to the A6 trunk road.

Local amenities would not be spoiled because houses at the back would be much higher and would overlook the station which in any case, it was proposed to screen.

The station would meet Ministry of Transport recommendations of such establishments being on the nearside. Motorists going to Bedford would have another 3½ miles to drive to the next place.

No Great Need
Mr. O. M. Jones, Deputy Clerk to the County Council, stuck to his views about possible dangers and poor visibility and said there was no great need for another filling station. There were already seven in the area: two within 3½ miles towards Bedford and five within two miles going into Rushden. The fact that a screen was to be put around the station, he said, was an overt admission that a filling station was not “a very respectable thing for a residential area.”

Technical advice and support was given to the inspector for the appellant by Mr. C. Featherstone, and for the objectors by Mr. W. J. Anker, surveyor to the Urban Council.

Mr. I. H. B. Rees, senior engineering assistant of the County Council surveyor’s staff, spoke against the narrow frontage of the proposed station and said that the unusual position of the pumps – to be at right angles to the road – would cause inconvenience and difficulty for drivers entering and waiting in line.

Foresees Difficulties
Further objections to the filling station were made by Mr. Ronald Jaques, 36 Bedford Road, whose home is near the site. The road is narrow and has a camber, he said and meat lorries leaving the nearby abattoir had to swing on to the opposite footpath to get clear. He envisaged greater difficulties if there were always vehicles turning into a filling station. The inspector examined the site before he formally closed the inquiry. The Minister’s decision will not be known for some time.

A Modern Service Station With A Rural Background

Situated in the A6 Bedford road, Rushden, it is to be known as Bedford Way Service Station, retailing National Benzole products.

Four pumps provide two premium grades, a commercial grade and diesel, while a little to the rear is a separate island with a pump for the two-stroke vehicles.

The Kiosk

The compact kiosk, which is a National Benzole design, will also cater for the motorist in need of road maps, and in the attractive premises behind the pumps is a modern service and Shell-lubrication bay complete with hydraulic lift.

Also in this building are a showroom for four cars, a staff room, main office, stores and toilets.

An air pressure unit is situated well away from the pumps so that there is no hold-up when a customer requires air for his tyres.

Dividing the old from the new is white slatted fencing and on either side of the expansive forecourt, lawns have been laid.

Well Illuminated

The pumps and building are brilliantly illuminated at night, and a staff of four to five, smartly dressed in the National Benzole uniform, will be available to attend to the motorists’ needs.

Licensee of the Bedford Way Service Station is Mr. Ron Smith, of Desborough, and the local manager is Mr. P. B. Bridgstock, of Kettering.

The name of the firm is Bedford Way Motors (Rushden) Ltd.