Councillors in Gillingham have given strong support for plans for a second filling station in the town.

As revealed on this website in August, Forelle Estates have submitted plans for a Shell fuel station at Fern Brook Lane off the B 3081 Shaftesbury Road, next to the Kingsmead Business Park.

In addition to petrol and diesel the new station will also have two to four places to charge electric vehicles, plus a Budgens food and drink outlet.

Councillor Dennis Griffin told the planning committee on Monday 14 October that he regularly used fuel stations provided by the same company and said they had ‘everything you could imagine’ and were ‘very popular’. He added: ‘Gillingham needs a second filling station … and this building will probably upgrade that end of town far more than than anyone can imagine.’

Councillor Paul Harris said the application came at an ‘opportune time’ with the imminent opening of the new ALDI store and plans for the development of 1,800 home son the town’s Southern Extension.

Support also came from Councillor Mike Gould, who said that the roundabout at ham was going to be ‘transformed’ soon by the council to create a ‘wow factor’ on the entrance to the town. ‘We think you will add value to that,’ he said.

Councillors voted unanimously to support the application.

John Mason, managing director of one of the companies behind the scheme, confirmed that they would be interesting in helping to sponsor the Ham roundabout in the future.

The application will now be considered by the planning authority Dorset Council.