Plans to "almost triple" the internal area at a BP petrol station in Watford have been submitted.

Previous proposals to demolish all structures at the Wiggenhall Road site and replace them with a much larger shop and forecourt were withdrawn in 2016 after “continuing objections” from the Environment Agency.

The new plan, submitted yesterday (January 16), still proposes to replace the existing retail building and remove the car wash and hand car wash office, but the existing pumps, tanks, and forecourt will remain the same.

The internal area would be almost tripled to 3075 square feet under the proposal, submitted on behalf of HKS Retail Ltd.

Watford Observer: Under the plan the retail area would expand away from the roadUnder the plan the retail area would expand away from the road (Image: Google Street View)

The environment agency had raised concerns over flood risk and groundwater protection following the 2016 plan.

In February 2017 it said it was satisfied that flood risk had been adequately addressed but maintained the groundwater issue was outstanding with changes to the petrol pumps “likely to result in a significant risk to groundwater resources”.