LUCKNOW residents have applauded plans to demolish the village’s ageing petrol station, but have urged Orange City Council not to allow it to operate around the clock.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
According to plans before the council, the service station’s bowsers and existing store would be removed to make way for a 200 square-metre convenience store, three bowsers with room for six vehicles and 10 parking spaces.
Unlike the current business, which does not have access for large trucks to fill up, the updated design would cater for them.
The business would be open 24 hours a day.
Neighbours Peter and Debby Campbell have lived next door for the past 46 years and said the noise from the business was already disruptive, but they had a reprieve after 7pm.
“It would be better to look at visually, but the operating hours are the biggest concern,” Mr Campbell said.
“We would be prepared to go a little bit later, like 8pm, but we would like to have a little bit of peace.”
The Campbells questioned estimates from the applicant the development would generate an extra 50 vehicles an hour, given the business was on the Mitchell Highway.
Mrs Campbell said there were few places for trucks to stop and they sometimes blocked their driveway.
“It feels like they’re channelling everything into Lucknow,” she said.
Councillors asked staff earlier this month to bring the development application to them for a decision once it was ready.
Mrs Campbell said the couple were grateful for councillors’ support so far.
“They can’t say no for no reason, but they’re going to look at all the issues,” she said.
The business could not be reached for comment.