PROPOSALS to build a new petrol station have been appealed after planning chiefs failed to make a decision quickly enough.

Flintshire Council received plans to demolish the existing Esso petrol filling station and convenience store in Church Street, Connah's Quay, in December.

The scheme - which proposed the redevelopment of site for new petrol filling station and convenience store with a drive-thru bakery - remains undecided by Flintshire Council eight weeks after the authority's target decision date.

The applicant, The Euro Garages Ltd, has now turned to the Planning Inspectorate over the delay and an appeal was officially launched last week.

In a statement explaining the grounds for the appeal, The Euro Garages states: "Despite the appellant’s apparent resolve to work proactively with the local planning authority (LPA) in bringing forward a successful scheme, the LPA have been completely unresponsive to almost every correspondence and simply refuse to discuss the appeal scheme.

"The appellant considers an appeal now the only method of having the application determined."

The document goes on to describe the proposed development, adding: "The rationale behind the appeal scheme is to replace the existing dated service station following its acquisition by Euro Garages.

"The replacement filling station will benefit from a re-branded and more modern canopy, better quality retail floor space and a wider convenience retail offering with a food-to-go bakery unit which offers a drive-thru service.

"The appeal scheme is compatible with the site and surroundings and conditions can be attached to ensure there is no adverse impact on living conditions of nearby residential occupiers.

"Furthermore, permitting the proposal is likely to result in around 25 new jobs for local people, a far greater number than what is generated by the existing filling station."

Flintshire Council was approached for a comment.