PLANS to demolish Botley’s only petrol station have been objected to at the 11th hour by North Hinksey Parish Council.

The council said the potential loss of the next nearest filling station in Oxpens – not apparent when the plans were originally passed – meant motorists would now be driving much further to fill up.

The proposals to begin the second phase of a project to redevelop Seacourt Retail Park, including the demolition of the Hartwell Ford BP garage, were submitted in May.

The application to Vale of White Horse District Council is for alterations to the original plans that were approved in 2013.

The council report read: “When the previous applications were approved, there was no intention to close the petrol station at the Oxpens.

“This is now certain to happen, so the situation has changed, and the removal of the Seacourt petrol station will represent a decrease in sustainable development.

“Residents will have to drive much further, increasing emissions.”

Parish councillor Andrew Pritchard added: “A trip along the A34 is not enticing and a trip along the Botley Road at the moment can take up to an hour.”

The redevelopment of Oxpens could see at least 300 homes along with offices, a hotel and leisure facilities built to support more than 1,000 jobs. Esso is yet to confirm whether this would definitely include the removal of the garage in Oxpens Road.

If the Seacourt filling station goes along with the one at Oxpens, there will be eight remaining petrol stations inside or on the ring road.

In the summer of 2012, Oxfordshire County Council conducted a major revamp of the Botley interchange.

A lane allowing Oxford-bound traffic to turn right into North Hinksey Lane East by McDonald’s was removed creating three lanes in to Botley.

The move was criticised by North Hinksey Parish Council, which said it made it more dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians.

The parish council also said that these changes now highlighted the lack of sufficient access by bike or foot to the new development.

Work started in December 2013, on the £15m two-stage development of the Seacourt Retail Park site, which is owned by British Airways Pension Trust.

The first phase, completed in April last year, included a Decathlon outdoor leisure store, JD Sports and Dreams.

When completed the site is expected to have created 150 new jobs.