South Shields heritage site faces demolition for new petrol station development

A locally listed building in South Shields could be razed to make room for a revamped petrol station, according to plans submitted to the town hall's planning chiefs. South Tyneside Council’s planning department has received an application from SRJ Energy Limited for several buildings at Moor Lane in Harton ward.

The company proposes to knock down the 'Moor Lane Service Station' and adjacent structures, replacing them with a new petrol station and retail outlet. The proposed development includes a new canopy/forecourt, sales building, underground storage tanks, parking, landscaping and other ancillary works.

A design and access statement reveals that the current site includes a service station with a two-storey building known as 'Harton Hall Cottages', currently used as a workshop and storage area. A single-storey garage building is also attached to the eastern side of the workshop.

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Under the new plans, both these buildings, described as 'vacant' by the applicant, would be demolished to make way for the revamped petrol station. The proposed floor plans reveal an extended retail shop for the petrol station on the footprint of the garage and workshop buildings set for demolition.

The developers have stated that the new plans would "maintain the existing petrol filling s The plans aim to "improve station use and enhance the service currently provided". The proposed demolition of existing buildings would "allow for the petrol filling station forecourt shop / sales building to be extended, further enhancing the service able to be provided. "

A heritage statement submitted alongside the plans acknowledges that Harton Hall Cottages, a locally listed two-storey building attached to the site, is set for "complete demolition". The heritage statement recognises the buildings' "group value with the adjacent late 19th century property at Harton Hall and the nearby church of St Peter".

However, it also points out that the cottages have "already been subject to a substantial degree of unsympathetic alteration, both externally and internally, which has significantly detracted from their intrinsic value in historical and architectural terms".

The statement suggests: "It is considered that the impact resulting from the loss of the cottages could be partially mitigated by a detailed programme of historic building recording carried out prior to demolition of the building.

"Consideration should be given as to whether fabric from the cottages could be incorporated into the new shop premises and it may be argued that a gabled roof profile would be more in keeping with the architectural character of the surrounding locale." The heritage statement also notes that the “proposed development may be assessed as having an overall moderate impact in heritage terms.”

The proposed layout for the development includes four car parking spaces, including a disabled parking space, and cycle hoops, as well as a water, air and vacuum dispenser bay at the south west corner of the site. The development also proposes a “simple uncluttered design adopting a light and modern appearance, with an aim of creating a “cleaner, more welcoming environment” for customers.

The design and access statement adds: “The proposal seeks to demolish the outdated and visually unattractive forecourt shop / sales building and existing buildings, replacing them with a modern, purpose-built forecourt shop / sales building whilst meeting the operational requirements of the petrol filling station.

“The proposal utilises the space within the site more efficiently than the existing layout, and the modern appearance represents a clear improvement compared to the existing service station’s appearance, which will benefit the wider surrounding area.”

Comments can be made on the plans, via South Tyneside Council’s planning portal website, until December 11, 2024. For more information on the planning application or to track its progress, visit the council’s planning portal website and search reference: ST/0140/24/FUL