A developer has launched a third attempt to build a new petrol station on a Wolverhampton site that has stood empty for nearly two decades, after two previous bids were thrown out by the local council and a government planning inspector.
Long Vacant Site Sees Renewed Development Push
The land in question sits next to the busy Tettenhall Road, adjacent to the Newbridge pub. It was formerly home to the Newbridge Service Station, which operated until 2005 before being demolished. The plot has remained vacant and overgrown ever since.
Nottingham-based Bushbury Ltd, with Khalid Mohammad named as the applicant, has now submitted a fresh application to the City of Wolverhampton Council. The proposal seeks permission to construct a petrol station, a car wash, and a shop on the long-derelict plot.
This marks the third major push to develop the site for fuel retail in recent years. Prior applications for a petrol station were refused in 2006 and 2008. After lying empty, the land saw a brief revival in 2015 when the Co-op gained council backing for a supermarket, but those plans were never realised and the site was sold on.
History of Rejections Over Noise and Design
The latest application follows a direct rejection by the council in October 2023 and a subsequent failed appeal to the government's Planning Inspectorate.
Council planners previously criticised the scheme as being "poorly designed" and too "utilitarian", arguing it would be to the "detriment of the surrounding area." They called for more landscaping instead of excessive hardstanding.
The central reason for refusal, however, was noise impact on neighbouring residents. The proposed shop would have operated from 6am to 11pm, with the car wash running until 9pm daily. While a noise assessment predicted only a "small increase" in sound levels—against the backdrop of the already busy Tettenhall Road—the planning inspector noted a critical flaw.
The assessment had failed to measure existing noise levels from a house that sits directly on the border of the proposed development. The inspector concluded that this property would be subjected to noise from the jet wash, car wash, tank vents, and tyre air pumps.
What Happens Next?
The new application will now undergo a fresh round of scrutiny by Wolverhampton's planning authorities. They will have to weigh the potential benefits of bringing a disused brownfield site back into use against the persistent concerns regarding noise pollution and architectural design that scuppered the previous attempts.
The outcome will determine whether this prominent corner of Tettenhall Road remains an overgrown reminder of the past or finally gains a new lease of life after 20 years.
