PLANS to demolish a former petrol station and turn it to flats have been recommended for approval by councillors.

Upton Town Council’s planning committee recommended the approval of an application for the former Countrywide Store in Hanley Road.

The application is for the demolition of the old shop and house currently on site with the erection of a two-storey building with a convenience store at ground level.

Also included in the plans are a two-bed apartment and a gymnasium on the first floor. Councillors recommended approval of the application, with Cllr Betty Williams saying: “I have looked and looked at it and cannot see much difference to what has gone on before and what we saw in the beginning.

The height of the floor has been raised but other than that the actual building seems no different.”

READ MORE: Council supports plans for 24-hour petrol station in Upton

Chairman of the planning committee Cllr Graham Francis said: “The developers may have had a fit when they saw the effect of flooding on Hanley Road, I am sure they didn’t expect it to be quite so severe.”

When the application last appeared before the committee, councillors agreed having the petrol station open 24 hours a day was good for the town, and would benefit residents.

An application had been submitted to remove and replace the existing underground fuel tanks, but this was changed as the existing tanks are in good condition.

At the planning meeting on Tuesday, Cllr Simon Yates said while he was happy with the plan, he felt there was more the applicants could do to improve the look of the site.

He said: “When we saw it originally it was a bit dull. Now it is less dull but there is more they can do to make it look less like a prison block.

"It is not very pretty for one of the main entrances to the town and I think there is more they can do. We said go away and make changes but these aren’t very big changes really.”

The matter will now go before Malvern Hills District Council.