Agency dispells fuel leak fears (From Gazette Series)

Agency dispells fuel leak fears

CONCERNS that fuel has been leaking from a disused petrol station in Dursley have been dispelled.

Suspicions were raised when the area around the former Murco service station on the Uley Road, including the River Ewelme, was surveyed by the Environment Agency.

However, the owner of the site, Jim Collier, of J C Collier Builders, Uley, said the survey was nothing to worry about.

He said: "There is no problem with the site. We just have to check it by law."

Mr Collier is looking to build on the site and, as with any development of a former petrol station, he must have the area checked to see that fuel has not seeped out.

"Everything is fine," he added. "If there were any problems the petrol would have run down the hill into the river but it has been checked and it is okay."

The site has been declared clean and the development will be able to proceed subject to planning approval.

The garage has been empty since the summer of 2003 and was subsequently bought by Mr Collier from Murco.

* THE planning application for the Murco service station in Dursley by J C Collier Builders is for a mixed-use development.

The change of use would see the existing retail area split into two will two new flats added above.

The petrol canopy would be removed.

A decision on the site is expected by the end of August.