Campaigners in Norfolk are trying to overturn a decision that would double the size of Gillingham Services and turn it into a ‘rural retail park’.
Currently, the services off the roundabout between the A146 and A143 Norwich Road, include a petrol station, McDonald’s, KFC and Starbucks. South Norfolk Council gave planning permission for an EV charging hub (20 charging spaces), a Greggs, small M&S, a farm shop and six trade units to be added to the site. This was despite dozens of objections, including fears about increased noise and light pollution in the small village, which is home to fewer than 800 people. In addition, people in nearby Beccles are worried that the development would take trade away from the small town.
The Friends of Gillingham campaign group raised £10,000 in 30 days and used the funds to apply to the Administrative Court to ask for permission for a Judicial Review.
The group’s case is based on the fact that it says it has identified five flaws in the plans including problems with the screening process, surface water and a footpath.
The group’s co-director Sue McCabe told Forecourt Trader that they would like it if the development did not happen at all, but if it did go ahead, it was not on this scale.
“This road is not the gateway to Europe,” she says. “We don’t need EV charging on this scale. The plans have more EV chargepoints than some motorway sites.”
