Inquiry into M56 Tebay-style services plan begins

Plans for a Tebay-style service station in Cheshire have gone before a public inquiry.

The Tatton Services plan includes a farm shop and a 100-bedroom hotel off the M56 near Lymm.

It was approved by Cheshire East Council in 2023 but after local objections the government decided an inquiry was needed.

It will look at the arguments for and against the plans from the Westmorland family, which runs the famed M6 Tebay operation near Kendal in the Lake District.

Supporters of the plans say there is need for the services, but objectors say it will create more traffic and damage trade in town centres.

The complex would be built on 39 acres (15 hectares) of green belt land between J7 and J8 of the M56, and include a petrol station and 96 electric vehicle charging spaces.

Opening the inquiry in Knutsford, Westmorland's lawyer Paul Tucker KC said although it was "inappropriate" to build on green belt land, the substantial benefits "clearly [outweighed] the potential harm to the green belt".

He said the site was "not a tranquil agricultural environment – but [was] rather a gateway location to Greater Manchester, Manchester Airport and other parts of the North West".

He added Trafford Council withdrew its objection when National Highways confirmed "a demonstrable need for the proposals".

He said the affect on Altrincham and Hale town centres would be negligible, and there was a clear opportunity for local businesses "to benefit from the supply side benefits which arise from the proposal".

Objector Bill Dixon, of Stop Tatton Services, told the hearing: "National Highways may be right in identifying a need for the motorway service area (MSA) in the area, but it isn’t at J7, because that plot of land has had as much infrastructure investment as it can take."

Mr Dixon added: "I believe that the burden of proof here should surely be for the applicants to prove that this isn’t a destination in its own right."

Brigit Green, from Trafford Green Party, said the party was disappointed Trafford Council withdrew its objection.

She said Tebay Services was "exceptional" and there was a worry that people from Altrincham, Bowdon, Hale, Knutsford and the surrounding areas may visit the services just "because the food is good and the shop is good".

"And we think it will become a destination, which is a problem," she said.

Two local business owners, farm shop owner Dominic Fenton and bakery owner Matt Townley, said local firms like theirs may benefit.

Tebay Services in Cumbria is regularly named one of England's best services, with comedian Frank Skinner once saying that "if there was a road to heaven, Tebay Services would be the service station on that road".

The planning inquiry is expected to end on Tuesday.

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