Wells residents have hours to have say on 24-hour Budgens

By Laura Linham 2nd Jul 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 1 hour ago

Wells residents have only hours left to register to speak on plans for Budgens on Bath Road to open 24 hours a day.

Motor Fuel Group, which runs the petrol station and shop at 6 Bath Road, wants Somerset Council to remove a condition limiting its opening hours. If approved, the site could operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The application, reference 2026/0014/VRC, will go before Somerset Council's Planning Committee East on Tuesday, 7 July. Anyone who wants to speak at the meeting must register by 5 pm today, Thursday, 2 July.

Residents can register by calling Somerset Council on 01823 357628 or emailing [email protected]. They should say they wish to speak on item 2026/0014/VRC and whether they support or oppose the application.

The committee meeting will start at 2 pm at the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5BT. The Budgens application is listed third on the agenda, so it may not be heard immediately.

The current planning condition restricts the petrol station and shop to opening between 6 am and 10 pm Monday to Saturday, and 7 am to 10 pm on Sundays. Motor Fuel Group wants that condition removed.

The site sits around half a mile east of Wells city centre in a predominantly residential area. It includes the Budgens shop as well as the petrol filling station.

Planning officers are recommending approval, subject to conditions. Their report says the application is considered to comply with relevant local plan policies and the National Planning Policy Framework.

During the application, Motor Fuel Group put forward a change saying that fuel and other goods sold outside the current opening hours would be handled through a night pay window, while the main shop would stay closed. The officer report says this was suggested to address concerns about potential anti-social behaviour, but adds that the change has not been subject to public consultation.

Wells City Council has objected, citing significant community concerns about light pollution and noise pollution. Wells divisional member Councillor Theo Butt Philip has also objected, which is why the application has been referred to committee rather than being decided by officers.

Cllr Butt Philip said many residents were concerned about the proposal. He said the planning application follows a recent licensing application which opened the door to alcohol being sold 24 hours a day.

Public objections summarised in the officer report include concerns about engines, car doors, conversations and music late at night. Residents have also raised issues around light pollution, extra vehicle movements, anti-social behaviour, public safety, crime and the impact on nearby homes.

Some residents have questioned whether Wells needs another 24-hour petrol station, arguing that there is already one in what they consider a more suitable city centre location. Others have raised concerns about consultation, including claims that no site notice was displayed and that the wording of the proposal could be misunderstood.

Environmental Protection has recommended approval. Its comments say the predicted increase in ambient noise levels would be "imperceptible" and that the impact on nearby residential amenity would be minimal.

Somerset Highways has made no observations on the application.

If the committee approves the proposal, the 24-hour opening condition would be removed. Other relevant conditions from the original planning permission would still apply where appropriate, including conditions relating to noise mitigation, lighting, parking, deliveries, the car wash, refuse storage, external plant, acoustic fencing and signage.

Residents who want to view the full application can search Somerset Council's planning portal using reference 2026/0014/VRC.