Fears over safety and increased traffic.

Furious campaigners have vowed to fight on after controversial plans to build a petrol station next to a busy Wembley road were given the green light by planning chiefs at Brent Council last night (Wednesday).

The plans, submitted by supermarket giant ASDA, will see a four pump station built in the car park of the store in Forty Lane.

The decision has fuelled campaigners’ fears that the surrounding roads, home to a number of primary schools, will suffer a severe increase in traffic.

Cllr Michael Pavey, of the affected Barnhill ward, said they would watch the process ‘like hawks’ and had not given up in their fight to stop it.

He told the Times: “It’s a bitter blow and is disappointing that our concerns have not been listened to by the officers. “We will watch these developments closely to take note of any issues and continue to air our concerns.”

Prior the decision, residents submitted a petition of 155 signatures opposing the application.

Cllr Pavey added: “The roads are at full capacity already and of course ASDA are going to slash their prices and out price other outlets increasing traffic to the area.”

However, it was noted by officers that the roads could cope with a ‘worst case scenario’ of one extra car per minute.

Martin Francis, who sits on the governing body of Chalkhill Primary School, expressed concern that many pupils walk through the ASDA area on their journey to school, adding that with imminent school expansions the number of pedestrians would increase dramatically.

He said: “The governors of Chalkhill Primary School objected to this scheme because they felt it would increase the danger of road accidents to children on their journey to school.

“We very much regret that the committee and planning officers do not share these concerns.”

Sarah Marquiss, a resident from Kings Drive Barnhill said: “The area is already incredibly busy, at full capacity, and they are not taking into account the increase on event days.”

A spokesman for ASDA said: “We’re always looking to bring low priced fuel to areas of the UK that don’t already benefit from an ASDA forecourt.”