Appeal lodged for £75m motorway services near Birchwood
Extra MSA Group has asked for a public inquiry over Warrington Council’s refusal of its outline planning application for M62 services.
The plans, designed by Architecture519, propose a 100-bed hotel, fuel filling station, food court, 536-space car park and external amenity and play space for the 38-acre Green Belt site. The services would also offer electric vehicle charging.
Located immediately to the north of the M62 alongside Junction 11, the site in question is mostly greenfield and sits next to the restored Risley Landfill.
Warrington Council decided the benefits of the MSA did not outweigh the harm it would cause the Green Belt in its June 2021 decision.
Extra has argued that the judgement was incorrect, noting that the council’s planning officer had recommended the application for approval. The officer had written that the benefits did outweigh the harm, in particular the economic and safety benefits.
The officer also said there was a need for an MSA in the location, with Extra explaining that the gap between services along the M62 in that area was larger than the recommended 28 miles. The distance between Birch Services to Switch Island is 40 miles, while it is 35 miles away from Charnock Richard Services. Hattersley Roundabout, the M67 terminus, is 52 miles from Switch Island and 47 miles from Charnock Richard Services.
Aerial visualisation of the proposed services near Junction 11. Credit: Sanders Studio
Regarding the economic benefits of the scheme, Extra said it would invest £75m in creating the MSA and that the scheme could generate a net additional GVA of £24.6m for Warrington.
Spawforths the planning consultant for the project. Wardell Armstrong is the consultant for sustainability, energy, drainage, heritage and ecology. I-Transport is the transport consultant. SLR Consulting is the landscape architect.
Looking to learn more? The application’s reference number with Warrington Council is 2019/35726.
Isn’t there a service station at Burtonwood already?
By Anon
My understanding is that Burtonwood services are in very poor condition, on a small site on just one side of the motorway and are to be demolished
By Judith Wise
and 6 miles from Burtonwood services……
By anon
Will Alpha coach company stay at Burtonwood?
By Robert M
They conveniently forget to mention that Burtonwood services was 5 miles away westbound and Birch services are 14 miles eastbound and both are situated on the M62.
By Steve Smith