AN HISTORIC garage and petrol station is set for more than just a lick of paint after a serious renovation plan was approved by Uttlesford District Council. P & A Wood, which was founded in 1967, have laid out ambitious plans for the old Browns Garage in

AN HISTORIC garage and petrol station is set for more than just a lick of paint after a serious renovation plan was approved by Uttlesford District Council.

P & A Wood, which was founded in 1967, have laid out ambitious plans for the old Browns Garage in Great Easton and have now have permission to convert it into a fully functioning workshop and showroom which will mirror their current site on the opposite side of the road.

As the UK's only Rolls Royce accident repair centre, the current workshop and showroom have outgrown its current location - and to safeguard the business and its workers expansion is now planned.

Acting on behalf of the company, agent Paul Kirkham said: "The company has been in operation for 22 years and moved to Great Easton in 1988. In 2000 they bought the site from Mr Brown who now lives next door.

"The new site will allow more space for the workshop staff as 15 of them will be transferred over to the new site once it is competed - the current site will continue to operate as it does now."

He added: "We really hope that the council choose to support this outstanding local business."

In total 55 staff currently work at the site, the majority of which live locally. There are no plans to increase the amount of staff at the moment but it is said that business is good at the garage and now is a good time to expand.

The designs were met with positive remarks from members of the council's development control committee, which agreed unanimously on approving the plans.

Great Easton's district councillor Cecile Downs said: "I know Mr Brown and he is quite a character, all the residents I have spoken to seem very happy with the plans. In fact the garage is actually a real asset to the village."

This is the second time the owners of P & A Wood have moved to expand on to the Browns site. An application in August 2002 included underground parking but was withdrawn way before building ever commenced.

The approval was with some conditions - there will be no work carried out outdoors and the building work must begin in the next three years. Extra parking spaces will also be provided for customers and currently all of the staff members have parking spaces on site or nearby as part of a land deal.

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