A CONTROVERSIAL plan for Accrington's Asda store to build an on-site petrol station has been turned down amid fears it could lead to "a major disaster".
Asda bosses wanted to build a four-pump unmanned petrol station near the store's car park for customers to use.
But members of Hyndburn Council's Planning Committee threw the plans out, saying they feared it would be a health and safety risk for the area.
Councillors also said they did not feel there was any need for another petrol station in the area since there was already one at the end of Hyndburn Road.
Councillor Miles Parkinson said: "There is a health and safety issue here. We are not talking about this station storing water, it would be storing a highly-dangerous flammable substance.
"All it would take would be one little spark and you could have a major disaster there. I don't understand why there aren't more concerns raised about unmanned petrol stations."
Councillor Marlene Haw-orth said: "What concerns me is the entrance to the store as I am not sure a supermarket of that size would be big enough to support the station."
Councillors were told the scheme had been recommended for approval and that if they turned it down, there was a chance Asda could appeal against the decision.
Councillor Janet Storey said: "I feel as if we are being caught between a rock and a hard place as even if we turn this down there is a chance they may get it anyway on appeal."
Councillor John Griffiths, chairman of the Planning Committee, said: "It feels like we have our arms twisted up our backs but if we turn it down it needs to be on the grounds of planning considerations."
Despite these concerns, councillors voted to reject the proposal on the grounds that it went against the borough's highways policies.
