Independent planning consultancy DPP and Bayford Developments have submitted an application for outline planning permission for a new motorway service station on the A1 at the junction of the A1 with the A61.  The application follows a £600m upgrade of the dual carriageway to a motorway by the Highways Agency. The proposed motorway service area lies approximately halfway between the existing facilities at Wetherby and the consented scheme at Barton. 

The application, made on behalf of Bayford Developments, is to be known as Ripon Services and, if approved, will see the creation of a food court, filling station, an 80 bed hotel, a picnic and a play area for children together with parking for cars, caravans and lorries, and will provide 200 new jobs.

Two competing schemes have already been submitted – one at Kirkby Hill outside Boroughbridge and the other relates to the revamping existing facilities at Leeming Bar, which will be approximately one mile away from the new motorway.  A further planning application is expected in June for development of a motorway service area on a different quadrant of the A1/A61 junction.

The four schemes are likely to be the subject of a 10 week public inquiry starting in November this year.

Mark Lane, associate partner in the Leeds office of DPP, said: “The application site has been chosen because it is well enclosed, visually contained and is located away from sensitive receptors – it is the best site to meet the needs of the highway users on the A1.”

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Pictures
CGIs of the proposed motorway service station are available on request.

About DPP
DPP is a top ten independent town planning consultancy providing strategic advice to the a range of clients. DPP's chartered planners, sustainability, heritage and design experts work with developers, landowners, business operators and public sector bodies, offering services relating to the development and use of land. The firm operates in all development sectors with a particular presence in residential, retail, regeneration, mixed uses, business and commercial.  DPP is committed to maintaining the qualities that separate us from our competitors, as well as continuing to enhance our established reputation for providing high quality, efficient and cost-effective services while helping clients reach their planning and development objectives.

Clients of DPP include DP World, Bellway Homes Ltd, Caffé Nero, Centros, Domino's Pizza, English Heritage, Invensys, Liberty Properties, Liverpool Land Development Company, Mercian Developments, The Ministry of Justice, Shell International, Taylor Wimpey, Tesco, Unilever Pension Fund Trustees, United Utilities, the Watkin Jones Group and the Welsh Assembly Government.

Contact
Ceri Edwards, Redwood Consulting
Tel: 020 7828 5553
Email: ceri@redwoodconsulting.co.uk