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Electric vehicle manufacturing giant Tesla has filed a planning application to take over a former Porsche garage in Ferndown.
Tesla presented plans on January 19 to convert the New Road site, Ferndown, into a large showroom and service center with electric vehicle superchargers.
If approved, the site would be the first Tesla Supercharger in Dorset.
Visual proposals include the option of installing a lighted totem at the entrance to the site, fabric banners on new masts, side elevation mounted load panels and more.
The plans also show customer parking, a wash bay and charging stations.
Plans for a Tesla Supercharger service station in Ferndown. Photo: Tesla Council/Dorset
The current Porsche Center moved the short distance from New Road to Ferndown Industrial Estate last year due to the requirement for more space, leaving the old site empty despite objection from the town council which had issues noise and ecology.
The idea of a Tesla service center has already drawn praise from residents. Nigel Stockley commented: “Support this wholeheartedly. Excellent use of the former Porsche site and provides the local community with a much needed and requested facility as the nearest is currently Winchester and an 80 mile round trip.
A resident on social media was equally thrilled. They said: “This will make it easier to visit the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole areas and could help increase visitor numbers and local tourism. Local residents typically charge from home, but faster chargers are always welcome, and some Tesla locations are even opening up to non-Tesla vehicles.
Plans for a Tesla Supercharger service station in Ferndown. Photo: Tesla Council/Dorset
“This sales hub will likely help make the South Coast one of the most EV-dense areas in the country and that’s just awesome.”
The need for larger electric vehicle installations was reinforced in November 2020, as part of the government’s environmental plans. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be phased out by 2030 and that all new cars and vans will be zero emissions by 2035.
Members of the public can comment on the plans until Thursday, February 17. The application can be found on Dorset Council’s planning website by searching P/ADV/2022/00351.
