The restoration of the filling station in Bridge of Earn was described as a “vital necessity” in the documents for the change-of-use planning permission.
Councillors have granted permission for Oilfast to reinstate a filling station on Bridge of Earn’s Main Street, on a site previously used as a vehicle sales forecourt.
Motherwell-based Oilfast sought change-of-use planning permission to reintroduce a petrol station in the Perthshire village, arguing it was “a vital necessity”.
Perth and Kinross Council’s Planning and Placemaking Committee was told by a senior planning officer that the application was part-retrospective, as the applicant had carried out the “majority of the works without the benefit of planning permission”.
Presenting the application to the committee on Wednesday, September 9, Development Management team leader Paul Williamson said the application had been brought forward as a result of enforcement negotiations. It was recommended by council officers for conditional approval.
According to the Design and Planning Statement – submitted by JMS Planning and Development on behalf of Oilfast – the site had operated as a filling station until around 2008.
They argued there was “a national need for additional and enhanced petrol filling station facilities” and “a significant absence of petrol filling station facilities within the local area, particularly between Perth and Kinross”.
Presenting the application for the automated, unmanned facility, JMS Planning and Development’s statement described filling stations as “vital community facilities” that “often function as a community hub”.
The agent’s statement read: “Petrol filling stations are a vital necessity and can often function as a community hub, but are facing significant threats in a harsh economic climate. Petrol stations have been likened to post offices and local shops as vital community facilities which are rapidly disappearing.”
The number of UK filling stations is reported to have fallen by 75 per cent between 1967 and 2023.
There were five objections from members of the public alongside a further objection from Earn Community Council.
Addressing councillors, objector Sarah Stewart stressed her concern about the cumulative impact of lighting, noise, traffic and contamination on neighbouring homes.
Mrs Stewart said: “Our concern is not one element in isolation; it’s the cumulative effect of all these activities operating together.”
Neighbouring objector Iain Bethune felt there were “material gaps” in the information provided by the applicant regarding traffic, lighting, and contamination.
Highlighting issues with parking and visibility, he said: “We request stronger action, such as double yellow lines.
“This would be an obvious solution.”
Oilfast chief executive Stephen Anderson told councillors that the company already operates two 24-hour petrol stations in Perthshire—in Guildtown and Balbeggie—“without issue”.
The pumps in Bridge of Earn will not operate 24 hours a day, but will be available from 6am to 11pm.
The use of jet washes and air, water and vacuum units will be limited to between the hours of 7am and 8pm.
Mr Anderson said: “We pride ourselves on being considerate operators and, quite frankly, it’s in our best interest to be good neighbours.”
He added that Oilfast had commissioned a mail drop to 600 neighbouring households: “Eighty-four per cent of respondents were in favour of reopening the Cargill’s site for fuel sales, with 74 per cent voting ‘strongly in favour’.”
The current site owner, Cargill’s, has entered into a lease agreement with Oilfast for the forecourt area only.
Cargill’s Autos will continue operating car sales and general vehicle maintenance and repairs in the area behind the forecourt.
Conservative councillor Ian James moved the plans for approval, seconded by SNP councillor Mike Williamson.
Local Conservative councillor David Illingworth (Almond and Earn ward) sought to restrict fuel sales to between 7am and 10pm for the benefit of nearby residents.
However, he was legally advised by council officers that there would need to be “a clear justification as to why there’s a need to reduce the hours”.
He subsequently withdrew his amendment.
Planning permission was unanimously granted—subject to conditions—allowing the site to be used for fuel sales from 6am to 11pm.



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