The fate of a proposed M25 service station boasting hotel, significant parking, and a complex new junction will be debated at a public inquiry.
Extra Motorway Services has submitted to Bucks Council an outline application for a new roadside service area on land known as Warren Farm, between Junction 16 and 17 of the M25, near Chalfont St Peter.
The development will have a facilities building with retail and a food court, a filling station, and a 100-bedroom hotel, according to council documents.
It's a scheme being rivalled by Moto which wants to build a new services at junction 20 near Kings Langley, and Welcome Break which wants to build on land off the M25 owned by Buckinghamshire Council between the M40 and the M4.
PICTURED: Earlier concept art.
Extra said its proposal, which took more than 18 months to put together and submit, addressed a "significant road safety need for this location on the motorway network".
According to the Bucks Free Press, Buckinghamshire Council has failed to make a decision on Extra's application and the applicant has submitted an appeal on grounds of non-determination.
As a result, Bucks Council is no longer the decision maker – but it is still required to consider the application.
A public inquiry is scheduled for August.
PICTURED: MSA site location.
The Extra scheme is "inappropriate development”, resulting in "spatial and visual harm" in the Green Belt, council documents state.
However, it is also acknowledged the service station would "address a 44-mile gap in provision" between Cobham in Surrey and South Mimms at junction 23, delivering "significant benefits" for road user safety – while also creating 340 full-time jobs, and investment.
"It is concluded that all of the harms are clearly outweighed by all of the benefits,” council documents state, adding "Very special circumstances do exist in this case".
A total of 222 letters of objection have been received; 15 in support.
Three Rivers District Council is yet to consider Moto's application. Decisions have been delayed after revised plans were submitted by the applicants regarding impact on traffic flow.
But after considering the revised plans Hertfordshire County Council, the local authority in charge of highways, said it would not be supporting Moto's proposal, which had drawn 1,400 objections from residents.
Latest: County council says Moto services will have 'significant impact' on local roads
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