SOME 30 jobs could be created as part of plans to build a petrol station and shop on former agricultural land in Worcester.

Forelle Estates Ltd plan to build a Budgens store with petrol supplied by either Shell or British Petroleum (BP) on Hornhill Road, off the A4440 Nunnery Way, Worcester.

The application submitted to Worcester City Council includes proposals to erect an eight-pump filling station, car wash and shop.

It would include 21 car spaces, eight cycle spaces, two disability spaces and two electrical vehicle charging points.

In total, 30 jobs would be created from the development, 10 full-time and 20 part-time.

John Mason, of Forelle Estates Ltd, said: “We noticed there was not much provision in the way of shops in the area and certainly no petrol station. It will have all the usual things; there will be a bakery, fresh meat, fruit and vegetables all locally sourced.

“It will have a tall glass shop front so customers feel safe as they can see all the way around the shop.

“We like them (developments) to look nice. We expect people will be able to go in there and get stuff they would want to buy.”

He added that the store design is based on another one of their enterprises in Somerset that won a national award as the Best New Development or Petrol Station in the UK.

It will have a compound area for storage will be located at the northern and southern ends of the shop building.

The site is a level, cleared and unremarkable plot that has been prepared ready for development.

The total gross new internal floorspace proposed 425 square metres and the site area is 40 hectares.

Commenting on the proposals, Worcester Regulatory Services and Highways England offered no objection to the application.

But Mike Stephenson, divisional crime risk manager at Worcester Police Station, said: “There is insufficient information on both the proposed hours of operation and security.

“If like many other service stations, they will sell cigarettes and alcohol and not operate 24 hours, then due to the lack of natural surveillance over this property I would seek details on secure storage, alarms and possibly CCTV. Additionally I have concerns regarding pumps 7 and 8, there close proximity to the exit route and therefore the opportunity for persons driving off without making payment.”

He said if the applicant to rectifies his concerns he would remove his objections.

Budgens Stores Ltd is a chain of foodstores, founded in 1872 by John Budgen, who opened the first store in Maidenhead, Berkshire.