FRESH designs have been drawn up showing how a new motorway service station could look.
Plans have been submitted to Warrington Borough Council seeking reserved matters consent for land at junction 11 of the M62 for Birchwood.
Such an application seeks to confirm the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the site, following the granting of outline permission upon appeal in 2022.
An aerial view of the new M62 service station site at Birchwood
The council initially rejected the service station plan against a planning officer recommendation in June 2021, before changing its mind by February 2022.
The Planning Inspectorate opted to overrule the refusal in May 2022 following the change of heart, with the scheme said to outweigh the harm caused to the green belt.
If these latest plans are approved, the work by applicant Extra MSA would be carried out in two phases.
How the new M62 service station at Birchwood could look
The first would cover ‘enabling’ works, and the second would involve the construction of the hotel and facilities.
The scheme includes the diversion of Silver Lane Brook and the creation of a ‘peat habitat zone’, along with other strategic landscaping and internal site circulation and parking.
Facilities building work includes commercial units and seating areas, a 100-bedroom hotel, outdoor seating areas and play equipment.
How the new M62 service station at Birchwood could look
As well as a fuel filling station, the services would offer 536 car parking spaces, including 26 disabled spaces, on top of 105 HGV parking spaces, 16 coach spaces, 15 caravan spaces and 15 motorcycle spaces.
Final works would involve associated infrastructure, bin store areas, solar panels, substations, lighting and fencing.
Planning documents state: “By retaining the key principles throughout the development process, the final design successfully integrates the building with the local landscape.
How the new M62 service station at Birchwood could look
“This is while providing efficient and attractive facilities for the travelling public, HGV drivers and visitors who use the area surrounding Warrington MSA as an amenity.”
The plans have been submitted to the council, and a decision will be made in due course.
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