A DECISION on a scheme to revamp and expand a petrol station in Pool-in-Wharfedale will be taken this week.

Shell wants to replace the forecourt, create a new sales building and canopy and install a new tank and other underground equipment at its Pool Bridge site.

Twenty objections were lodged against the original plan - citing concerns over road safety, the character of the Conservation Area, 'excessive' opening hours and the impact on other village businesses

Pool Parish Council was among the objectors as was Councillor Barry Anderson (Con, Adel & Wharfedale), who pointed out that neither ward nor parish councillors had been consulted.

The plans were revised slightly - the changes included minor alterations to the parking and delivery arrangements - following a meeting of Leeds City Council's South and West Plans Panel last November.

The panel is due to consider the scheme again on Friday, June16 - and will be advised by officers to grant approval.

Their report, noting that a further eight objections have been lodged since the proposals were altered, concludes that: "On balance it is considered that the proposals represent a relatively modest redevelopment of the site which

would successfully sustain the current character of the street scene and of this part of the Pool Conservation Area."

The report does acknowledge that Pool 'experiences high levels of traffic', but concludes that the scale of the redevelopment 'is not considered to be an intensification of use of the site'.

The filling station sits on a triangle of land and faces onto the busy A658 Main Street, with different forks of the A659 passing either side.