Mid Suffolk District Council is exploring legal options after a service station reopened against safety orders
Elmswell: So, here’s the scoop. Mid Suffolk District Council is pretty upset right now. They’re thinking about taking legal action because a service station reopened even after being told to shut down.
This all started when EG On The Move’s Elmswell Services opened last month off the A14 at Kiln Lane. The council had ordered them to close due to some serious road safety planning issues.
All the businesses there, including a Spar shop, Greggs, and Starbucks, were supposed to shut down until the owner fixed the access and exit points. But guess what? They opened up anyway, ignoring the council’s orders.
A council spokesperson said it’s not cool that these businesses are prioritizing profits over safety. They’re looking at all their options, including possibly going to court.
Previously, the planning committee had rejected the site’s proposals, saying the layout could cause major safety problems on the roads. But then, the planning inspectorate overturned that decision, allowing the site to open under certain conditions.
Unfortunately, those conditions weren’t met before the opening. If the owner doesn’t comply with the council’s notice in three months, they could face prosecution.
Cllr Andrew Stringer, who’s in charge of planning and infrastructure, mentioned that they don’t take this lightly. They know it’ll affect local businesses, but safety has to come first.
He emphasized that it’s just not acceptable for the necessary safety work to be ignored before opening. The council also pointed out that there wasn’t an approved construction plan in place before they started work, which is a big deal.
