Electric vehicle charging hub planned for former gas holder site
Plans for a new electric vehicle (EV) charging hub in New Wortley, Leeds, have been revealed in a public consultation, launched by planning and development consultancy Lichfields on behalf of bp pulse.
The proposed development could see 28 covered ultra-fast charging bays constructed on a former gas holder site off the Wellington Road in New Wortley.
The facility, which would enable users to charge their vehicles in under 30 minutes, would also see a new retail/food and drink unit built to provide refreshments while customers wait for their vehicles to charge.
This would also be available for use by local residents while a landscaping and tree planting scheme, and an additional parking area for customers waiting to use the EV chargepoints or the retail facilities, including two accessible parking spaces, is also planned.
Dozens of construction jobs would also be created during the initial build phase, with a further 29 fulltime and indirect jobs associated with the scheme on the cards once the hub goes live.
Johnny Froggatt, project delivery lead for bp’s charging hubs, said: “As a former apprentice at the gas works site, I’m excited to be leading its re-development as the city continues to evolve.
“This proposed scheme demonstrates bp’s ability to turn plans into action. Projects like this will help bp to our global aim of 100,000 charge points installed this decade.”
Ryan Barrett, planner at the Leeds office of Lichfields, who is overseeing the planning submission, said: “We hope the public consultation will reveal support from local people and stakeholders for the development, which will bring a disused site back in to use while creating a much-needed facility and jobs.
“Sustainability lies at the heart of the proposals, which promise to deliver a host of benefits and contribute to the roll out of EV facilities across Leeds.
“The scheme is also set within a well-connected landscaped site, complete with all the amenities and functionality demanded by drivers requiring ‘ultra-fast’ charging hubs.”
Submission of a planning application is expected by the end of the year.
The consultation is live online at https://www.bpnewwortley.co.uk/ and runs until 10 December.
