Motorway services plans attract criticism

Two new motorway services areas (MSAs) could be built on the A1(M) less than seven miles apart despite objections from residents and nature groups.

Moto has submitted an application for the redevelopment of its Barton Park truck stop and Roadchef has shared plans to build on land at Pallett Hill Farm, off the Catterick junction in North Yorkshire.

Planning officers have recommended approval for both schemes but campaigners objecting to the Catterick scheme have raised concerns over noise, light and sewage pollution as well as its impact on wildlife.

The proposed plans will go before North Yorkshire Council's planning officer at a meeting on Tuesday.

The Catterick development has attracted widespread criticism due to part of the greenfield area being on a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, which is used by protected birds such as curlew and lapwing.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said that the Environment Agency lifted its initial objection after the applicant submitted mitigation measures which include a new habitat for wildlife on land around 10 miles away.

However, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust continues to oppose the scheme, describing it as an "avoidable threat to this wetland site of significant value".

More than 700 people have so far signed a petition against the development and a group, Campaign to Save Catterick's Wildfowl Habitat, has been formed to fight the plans.

Group spokesperson Paul Fitz-George said the proposed mitigation measures would not work, adding: "It's pretty obvious to any reasonable person who cares about the human and natural environment what should actually happen, but we appear to live in a world gone mad."

Several local parish councils have questioned the need for the development, claiming that existing and planned services had not been factored in.

North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les is urging the strategic planning committee to reject the Catterick plans and approve the Barton scheme to avoid "the bizarre situation of more signed services on 10 miles of A1 than the whole of the M25".

National Highways is supporting the approval of both services, saying there would be greater need for roadside services when the A66 was upgraded.

The council's planning officer Nick Howard said the services would provide new jobs and address a gap in motorway service provision between Wetherby and Durham.

Members of the former Richmondshire District Council voted in 2022 to approve the Catterick scheme, however the proposal has been brought back to the new planning authority due to changes within the application.

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