Renewed bid for motorway services

CAMPAIGNERS FIGHTING to protect a site targeted for a new motorway service station in rural North Yorkshire have spoken of their fury that an application has been submitted once again.

Three weeks ago, retailer Applegreen withdrew its plans for a motorway service station on the A1(M) near Kirby Hill, warning residents it would soon be resubmitted once a technicality was resolved. But now campaigners have spoken of their frustration that hundreds of objections made to the application will now effectively be lost. They have written to the planning authorities and the Secretary of State, calling for the application to be dismissed.

“Applegreen’s U-turn makes no sense at all,” said Gareth Owens of Kirby Hill Residents Against Motorway Services (RAMS). “Why withdraw a planning application and then submit it again three weeks later, without any material change?”

The plans would see a service station built complete with drivethrough coffee shop, 383 parking spaces and a picnic and play area.

Were it to go ahead, this would be the fifth such proposal by various developers since 1996.

Applegreen said the application had been withdrawn while a technicality was resolved. The plans would create up to 330 new jobs in an “innovative, sustainably designed facility” they said, and would be in line with recommendations for a suitable distance to improve highways safety.

“Minimising our impact on the environment and the local landscape is a priority for us and we will deliver this through great design,” said Eugene Moore, chief development director.

“We are committed to creating new jobs for local people to boost local economies and we’ve received support from local businesses.”