PROPOSALS to build another facility enabling lorries to transition from diesel to 100 per cent renewable fuel have been thrown out.

It comes days after a near identical plant elsewhere in the town by the same applicant CNG Fuels Ltd was given the green light.

Plans had been submitted to Warrington Borough Council’s planning department for a bio-CNG vehicle fuelling facility in Appleton Thorn.

It was proposed that land at junction of Grappenhall Lane and Barleycastle Lane would comprise of fuel dispenser islands and plant compound, as well as landscaping, the creation of access routes and associated highways works.

Documents state: “The proposed development comprises the development of a new bio-CNG vehicle fuelling facility for the purpose of serving fleets of specially adapted HGVs operated by logistics operators at this green belt plot.

“The new station will allow businesses the opportunity to transition from diesel powered trucks to bio-CNG and benefit from the sustainable and 100 per cent renewable fuel and its resultant reductions in lifetime cost, CO2, NOx and noise emissions.

“It will form a critical piece of sustainable refuelling infrastructure to assist with the phasing out of diesel powered HGVs and the ban of such vehicles by 2040.

“This application proposes the installation of 12no. fuel dispenser islands and a plant compound comprising gas and electricity management plant, bounded by security fencing and landscaping.”

In refusing permission, the council said: “The development as proposed is inappropriate development and is by definition harmful to the green belt.

“Very special circumstances that clearly outweigh the harm to the green belt and any other harm have not been identified.”

Planners also ruled: “The development would not respect, sustain, or make a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness within the landscape setting of the surrounding area.

“This would result in landscape and character harm through the introduction of built form and activity on an area of open countryside.”

CNG Fuels Ltd only recently gained approval for a similar facility on land north of Lockheed Road, close to the M62 at Burtonwood.

The application site is a narrow plot sandwiched in between two large distribution warehouses occupied by Brakes and Evri.

Approving that scheme, the council said: “Low carbon development should be approved if associated impacts are acceptable.

“Subject to conditions, the development, as proposed within this established industrial area and associated impacts, including biodiversity mitigation, are considered to be acceptable.”