Six EV chargers will be installed at a Kenilworth petrol station, despite the objection of town councillors.

Warwick District Council’s planning committee was split on the decision, but signed off the scheme which will see six regular parking spaces replaced at the Shell garage on Warwick Road.

But speaking on behalf of Kenilworth Town Council - who objected to the application - Cllr Kate Dickson urged members not to approve the application.

“There are two main reasons for our objection: the visual impact on the neighbouring conservation area and the effect on the neighbour’s amenity,” she said.

“It does not respect the heritage asset settings of the St John’s Church,” she added.

Originally the scheme, submitted by Motor Fuel Group, did include a canopy over the charging points, but this was removed after negative comments were received from the public.

Twelve objections were also submitted to the council, with residents also questioning the location of a substation.

Cllr Neale Murphy suggested the substation be masked by planting, with a condition for this added to the approval.

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“The proposal is considered to have an acceptable impact on the character and appearance of the area and on the setting of the adjacent conservation area,” a council report said. 

“The proposal is also considered to create no additional harm to the amenity of neighbouring uses. 

“There would be no detriment to highway safety, having regard to the safety of both vehicles and pedestrians.”

The application was approved with nine votes for and one against, plus one abstention.