Wymondham fuel depot expansion plans

A fuel company has submitted proposals to expand its Wymondham fuel depot hot on the heals of plans for nearby permanent gipsy and traveller pitches being scrapped.

Goff Petroleum has requested a screening opinion into its plans to transfer elements of its business located at other sites to its oil storage depot off Stanfield Road, Wymondham.

It proposes to expand onto a 4.6 hectare site directly to the west of the existing depot, which the firm bought last year.

The company declined to comment on the plans, but it is believed to be the same parcel of land, which until last month was earmarked for a permanent gipsy and traveller site by South Norfolk Council.

The site, along with another location in Earsham, were two locations highlighted in the authority's Gipsy and Traveller Development Plan Document (DPD) as places to create more pitches.

Goff Petroleum objected to the plans saying the proposed encampment, which would have been 150 metres away from the depot, would scupper its expansion plans.

The DPD has since been scrapped after an independent inspector raised concerns about how the council had taken account of residents' views and the health and safety implications of placing a residential scheme so close to a fuel depot.

Planning documents submitted by Goff Petroleum said the company wishes to transfer its vehicle maintenance workshop from Aylsham Road, in Norwich, and its fuel storage and distribution functions from Forncett St Peter, near Long Stratton, to its Wymondham site.

A further letter sent to the council from the agent, said Goff Petroleum's plans would lead to 'operational efficiencies'' and would have an environmental benefit.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said information provided by Goff Petroleum indicated that the expansion proposals would meet safety criteria and could provide a 'strategically and commercially important' petrol distribution terminal for the region.