BP OIL was given a rap over the knuckles by Petersfield town councillors this week for jumping the gun and advertising facilities before they had the official go-ahead.

Members of the councilÕs planning committee were discussing an application from BP Oil UK Ltd to vary conditions in their planning permission for a petrol station next to McDonalds in Winchester Road.

BPs want the go-ahead to turn its shop at the filling station into a community shop by selling more groceries and opening an internet cafe.

Phil Humphries told fellow town councillors last week he took exception to BP putting up Òhuge signsÓ advertising a 24- hour garage and internet cafe.

ÒI am somewhat annoyed by people putting up signs on something that is yet to be decided,Ó he told the planning committee.

Bob Ayer told the meeting East Hampshire district councillors had discussed the matter as recently as December. They had agreed to a single internet terminal but refused permission for groceries to be sold on the grounds that they did not want the filling station shop to be turned into a general retail shop, in the interests of retail in the rural area.

But John Crowhurst told councillors he believed a valuable community facility could be provided at the filling station.

ÒThe worst traffic problems we have in Petersfield are around the One-Stop,Ó he told the meeting and added: ÒI have always said that the BP station should have the opportunity to develop a community shop. I see people walking to the One Stop and if you are driving you can be held up for ten minutes at the railway crossing.

This shop would be a great advantage to the people around QueenÕs and Princes Roads and also to the residents of Stroud. This would be a valuable addition to the community and you cannot say that this is a rural area.Ó

But Brian Keefe said he believed the planning permission should remain as already granted and the conditions should not be varied.

Town councillors voted to object to BPÕs application to extend the range of goods sold in the shop.

The plan will now be decided at East Hampshire District Council.