PLANS to create a new electric vehicle charging zone at an Ayr supermarket petrol station have been approved.

Motor Fuel Group had applied for permission from South Ayrshire Council to install the devices at Morrisons on Castlehill Road in the town.

As well as the EV chargers, the original plans also included a canopy, meter cabinet and other associated works.

Agents Carney Sweeney said: “MFG’s proposal to install new EV charging points at the Morrisons site should be considered positively in light of the national context and the demand for necessary infrastructure to support electric vehicle use across the UK.

“The proposals would contribute positively to the existing EV charging network. The proposals would enhance the existing offer at the site without compromising the efficient operation of the facility.

“MFG is the UK’s largest independent forecourt operator with over 900 sites offering a dual-fuel strategy, convenient retail and ‘food to go’.

“For the above mentioned reasons, MFG are looking to roll-out an extensive supply of EV charging facilities at existing Morrisons sites across the UK to diversify their existing offer, with the aspiration to make it as easy to charge your vehicle as refuelling with petrol or diesel.”

Two objections were received to the plans, including from Kyle and Carrick Civic Society, concerning the loss of five trees, the appearance of the proposed canopy and the loss of parking provision.

A revised proposal was submitted which retained four of the five trees that would have been lost, and the canopy was also removed from the plans.

Thirteen parking bays will be replaced by eight parking bays served by four EV charging stations.

The revised plans have been approved by council officials, who said that they "adequately addressed" the concerns raised.

Decision documents state: "The proposal had involved the erection of a canopy over the charging stations and parking bays.

"However, this aspect of the proposal was removed over concerns about the loss of established trees, the potential adverse impact on visual amenity of neighbouring properties on Castlehill Road and the impact on the setting of a listed building.

"The revised proposal, as assessed, are considered to adequately address the aforementioned concerns. 

"Therefore, the proposed development is not considered to detract from the character or amenity of the surrounding area or the setting of the listed building; while the loss of a single tree is not considered to compromise the landscape setting of the application site to such an extent that would merit refusal of the planning application in this instance."