An Isle of Wight company boss wants to keep his fuel depot open despite breaching planning control.
Retrospective planning permission is being sought by David Grannum, managing director of Solent Fuels, for a fuel storage depot at a former commercial abattoir on the outskirts of Newport.
Following the closure of Isle of Wight Fuels in April 2021, former employee Mr Grannum set up Solent Fuels to keep Island households heated and businesses supplied, rather than see them rely on mainland suppliers.
A suitable fuel storage site was found and created at Park Green Farm, off Forest Road. However, the permission for the farm did not cover fuel storage and had been identified by the Isle of Wight Council as a breach of planning control.
A planning statement on behalf of Mr Grannum, by Andrew White Planning Consultancy, said the site had permission to be a civil engineering and general builders storage and operations depot. Given the storage nature, Mr White said they were under the genuine impression the small depot did not require permission.
The planning documents say the continuation of the fuel storage depot does not result in any marked increase in adverse impacts on the character of the surrounding rural landscape, the amenities of the nearest residential property, or on the highway network.
There are 2 fuel storage tanks that store kerosene, gas oil, white diesel and in the future, bio-fuel.
You can view the plans, 22/01320/FUL, on the council’s planning register. Comments can be submitted until 30th September.
so took it on himself to setup a business without planning permission No that’s not on do what we have to do Get permission. unless he is giving a £ handout to the council
Mr Grannum plays on the “not knowing card” too often and has used it before when he was caught operating without an operators licence.
Why worry most of the Islands businesses are run without rules, believe me.
The island dosent have any other independent fuel supplier as far as I’m aware, in our current energy crisis, and the benefit this business has for the island, any action against it is pure churlish stupidity
Maybe he didn’t look for permission because he knew the NIMBY lot would say no and his business would fail. I guess the NIMBY lot want everyone to be on benefits.
This bloke has made a 30 year career,see his website. out of sailing close to the wind with the standard excuse “I didn’t know ” whenever the regulatory world has caught upwith him. Completely at odds with the competition who went through the whole process of getting permission to build a new depot at Whippingham.
The country is on its knees because of local council and government preventions of progress, by means of forcing us to have unnecessary expensive licences granted, or begging for permissions… from whom? Over paid, safe in their jobs, huge pension public sector workers. I applaud anyone who gets up and gets things done, and a fuel depot in these difficult times is a public service for the public good. So many layabouts, without the guts to take any risk, full of jealousy of the guys energy to do a thing, will do all they can to tear him down. Like crabs in a bucket, they will pull down the one who tries to climb out.
Island does need fuel storage. Particularly with our Council happily passing permission for thousands of homes. Know nothing of the company involved. But at least someone is fulfilling needs. Unlike the council and never ending drain, that is the floating bridge