Level of Compliance with Physical Planning Standards and Perceived Effects of Petrol Filling Stations Located in Residential Areas of Ibadan

The study investigated the level of compliance with specified physical planning standards and perceived effects of petrol dispensing stations located within residential areas of Ibadan, Nigeria. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. The primary data were sourced through reconnaissance surveys, personal observations, physical measurement, questionnaire administration and key informant interviews. The physical enumeration of petrol stations undertaken in 2012 in the five urban local government areas (LGAs) revealed a total of 260 petrol filling stations. Plot size, setbacks and distances from intersections and between petrol stations were measured with a calibrated tape. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was administered to dealers/managers of 20% (52) of the petrol filling stations randomly selected in Ibadan North, Ibadan North-East, Ibadan North-West, Ibadan South-East and Ibadan South-West LGAs. Household heads in 312 residential buildings that surrounded the selected petrol stations were randomly selected and a structured questionnaire was administered to them. Key informant interviews were held with the Zonal Directors of Town Planning in the five LGAs. Secondary data were obtained from both published and unpublished sources. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. The study revealed that only 82.7% of the sampled petrol stations had approved plans and 14.0% of these did not comply with the planning specifications in the approved plans. Level of compliance with planning standards varied as: complied with 75m specification from road intersection (11.5%) (the least in the group); minimum distance of 500m from other petrol filling stations (46.2%); regulations on land size requirements (49.8%); and regulations on loading and unloading of passengers in the petrol filling stations (73.1%). The perceived environmental effects of petrol filling stations on residents of adjoining buildings included: water pollution (24.7%), air pollution (34.0%), fire outbreak (47.9%), security risk (62.5%) and traffic congestion (60.6%). The study concluded that there was a high level of non-compliance of petrol stations with extant planning standards and this constituted a source of environmental and safety hazards to surrounding residents. There is the need for political will for strict enforcement of extant planning regulations, sealing-up of contravening petrol stations, and promotion of public awareness to prevent further development in unauthorized places to safeguard the health of the city residents.