New service station still open despite order for it to close
The new service station at Elmswell is continuing to operate despite the local council slapping an order on it to close.
Elmswell Services, (pictured above) just off the A14, was served with a breach of condition notice last week amid a planning dispute with Mid Suffolk District Council concerning the access and exit points.
Andrew Stringer, the council’s cabinet member for Heritage, Planning and Infrastructure, has urged the owners to implement safety measures at the site.
But a spokesperson for EG On The Move, which was served the notice, reassured it was “committed to addressing the matters promptly and responsibly” and asked for “a degree of pragmatism”.
It said it is working with the council, its professional advisers and contractors to resolve the issues raised.
The council, which initially refused planning permission for the site before it was granted on appeal, said essential road safety measures were not implemented when the services opened in December.
It said work on the access and exit points – as set out in the Planning Inspectorate’s conditions of approval – were not carried out.
Mr Stringer said the council’s primary concern was safety and the service station had “jumped the gun” before it was ready and he claims that there have been “near misses in and around this site.”
But there remains a stalemate between the two sides as motorists continue to utilise the facilities at the site.