AN “EXCLUSIVE” members-only petrol station in the heart of Southampton will open this summer, the company behind the scheme has been announced.

The 18-pump self-service station at Costco on Regents Park Road will open in August.

The popular wholesale brand is promising to offer fuel at cut prices.

However, the American giant said only members of its “club” will be able to access the pumps, and will have to swipe their membership cards on arrival.

Customers will also only be able to pay for the fuel with debit or credit cards, and no manned-kiosks will be situated at the station.

One employee will be on site in case of any health or safety issues.

Costco members have to qualify and pay an annual fee to gain access to its services.

The company say the plans come following the success of Costco’s petrol filling stations elsewhere in the UK, including Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol.

But, as previously reported in the Echo, councillors at Southampton City Council’s planning committee took exception to the firm’s proposed opening time of 7am, after residents claimed it would be detrimental to their community.

Costco argued that “it is not uncommon to find petrol filling stations connected to superstores”, especially those that open earlier than the main store.

Neil Daniels, real estate manager for the wholesaler, said: “We’re more than confident that our proposals do not negatively impact on the area and the local residents nearby will not be affected.”

But then-Millbrook ward councillor David Furnell, who lost his seat in May, disagreed.

He said: “It is said that the main people using the petrol station will be people using the store, so why do Costco have to open the station at 7am when the store opens at 10am?

“This will be detrimental to my constituents.”

Planners agreed with the Labour member and voted to push the scheme through with a new opening time of 9am and a closing time of 9.30pm Monday Friday.

It will close at 8pm on Saturdays and 6pm on Sundays.

The company’s other petrol stations all open at 6am and close at similar times.

Councillors also raised concern at the proposed location of the station, which will replace 85 of the 601 parking spaces in the southern part of the site, closer to homes.

Mr Furnell questioned why it could be placed on the other side of the site, which would lessen the impact on local.

Conservative leader Dan Fitzhenry, speaking on behalf of Councillor Steve Galton, agreed.

“I feel more that could have done to lessen the impact on the residents,” he said.

The scheme was approved by the planning committee.