Plans for a motorway service area (MSA) off the A1(M) in North Yorkshire have been approved despite a claim the scheme amounts to the “rape of the countryside”.
North Yorkshire Council has granted planning permission for the Vale of York MSA at Kirby Hill, near Boroughbridge, which was first proposed 30 years ago.
The services will provide parking for 364 cars, 90 HGVs, 18 coaches, caravans and motorcycles, together with fuel filling stations, a drive-through coffee shop and amenity building.
Members of the council’s strategic planning committee voted in favour of the reserved matters application despite claims from objectors that unresolved legal questions remain over the scheme.
Gareth Owens, chair of the Kirby Hill Residents Against Motorway Services (RAMS), spoke at the meeting to question whether the application could be lawfully determined.
The group has questioned whether the application was submitted ahead of a deadline of April 2024 set when the outline application was approved in 2021 following a public inquiry.
Campaigners also claim the plans have been changed since the original application.
Mr Owens said: “Land east of the A1, intended to return to agriculture, now contains permanent motorway service infrastructure.
“Additional best and most versatile agricultural land is permanently lost. The motorway bridge is higher, as is the elevated dumb-bell roundabout nearest Kirby Hill.
“The site drainage strategy and the number of surface water lagoons has changed. Yet members are still asked to rely on the outline environmental statement.”
But Nick Roberts, agent for applicant Welcome Break, described the issues raised by the campaigners as “red herrings”.
He added: “Their claims do not withstand any scrutiny in your office report is clear on all of the allegations.
“The reserve matters application has been proven to be valid.”
Several councillors spoke against the plans at the meeting at County Hall, Northallerton.
Councillor Robert Windass said he stood by previous comments describing the scheme as the “rape of the countryside”.
He added: “We’ve got prime agricultural land there which is being ruined forever. We’re going to put a petrol filling station that is not particularly required — there is one just down the road.”
Councillor Andy Brown said the committee was in a “ridiculous position” regarding the environmental features of the scheme.
He said: “Solar panels on green fields was the proposal for the previous application, which we were recommended to vote for.
“Then we look at an application for a petrol station without a single solar panel, without any meaningful discussions about whether they’re possible.
“And we have to wave it through on that ground because there’s no legal basis on which we can insist on common sense, so that’s deeply disappointing.”
Other councillors said they did not like the plans but could see no reasons to disagree with the officer’s recommendation to approve.
Councillor Neil Swannick said the principle of development had already been established for the MSA, adding: “I fully support the proposal though I don’t fully support the application, but it’s important we’re consistent.
“We’ve already approved it and I would recommend we support the officer’s recommendations to approve it again.”
Councillor Bob Packham said the residents’ concerns had been considered by the council’s officers and legal team.
“My view is we are not in a position to out-judge what their conclusions are,” he added.
The application was approved by nine votes to five with one abstention.
Mr Owens told the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the meeting that the campaign group was considering its position.
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