Drive-Thru And Petrol Station Plan for Hartlepool Business Site Recommended For Approval..
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Officials Representing the Hartlepool Development Corporation Say Queens Meadow Plan Should Be Approved Despite Local Plan Conflict...
12th May 2026
Plans for a new petrol station, drive-thru restaurant and electric vehicle charging points at the entrance to Queens Meadow Business Park are set to be decided by the Hartlepool Development Corporation Planning Board...
The application, submitted by EG On The Move Ltd, relates to land at the entrance to Queens Meadow Business Park, close to Stockton Road and the A689.
The scheme proposes a petrol filling station, drive-thru restaurant, EV charging bays, parking, landscaping and a new access from the business park road. The petrol station would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while the drive-thru would open between 6am and 11pm.
Officers are recommending that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement. However, the report also makes clear that the proposal conflicts with parts of the Hartlepool Local Plan, including policies covering Queens Meadow as an employment site, technical matters and the protection of incidental open space.
The application has been referred to the Board following a request from Fens & Greatham Labour Councillor Holbrook and because, despite those policy conflicts, officers are still recommending the plans be approved.
One of the main issues is said to be the location of the development. Queens Meadow is identified as a higher-quality employment area, with the proposed petrol station and drive-thru not falling within the usual employment uses expected for the site.
Officials at the HDC accept the applications apparent conflict with planning policy, but conclude that the overall harm would be limited, partly because the site is relatively small in the context of wider employment land supply.
Standards "Starting to Slip" Local Civic Society Claim...
Concerns have also been raised about the loss of the landscaped entrance into Queens Meadow, with the land currently including grassed mounds and trees, which form part of the visual approach into the business park. The Hartlepool Civic Society has also questioned whether a standard filling station and drive-thru would fit with the aim of maintaining Queens Meadow as a high-quality employment area, warning that standards at the site could be “starting to slip”.
Three public objections into the plans have also received raising issues such as potential noise and anti-social behaviour from the 24-hour petrol station, traffic, fumes, biodiversity, fire risk, and whether there is a need for another petrol station or drive-thru at the location.
However, several key consultees have not objected. Hartlepool Borough Council’s highways team said the nearby A689/Queens Meadow junction operates within capacity and that the additional traffic is not expected to have a severe impact. Cleveland Fire Brigade also offered no objection, although it highlighted access and fire safety requirements. The Environment Agency had initially objected over groundwater concerns linked to the petrol station, but later withdrew its objection after further information was supplied.
Officers say the development would bring benefits, including new jobs, EV charging provision and facilities serving both business park users and passing motorists.
The final decision will now rest with the Hartlepool Development Corporation Planning Board when it meets on Tuesday 19 May 2026.
