Tatton Services plan on M56 gets green light from Government

Tatton Services, which is proposed for a site between junctions seven and eight of the M56, includes a new motorway service building with farm shop, a 100-bed hotel, filling station, and 96 EV charging spaces. The scheme was approved by Cheshire East Council in October 2023. But the final decision was to be made by Secretary of State, on the recommendation of planning inspector David Rose, following a public inquiry in October 2024.

Today it has been announced that planning permission has been granted. The main issues at the inquiry included the need for the motorway service area (MSA), the economic impacts including on nearby towns and the impact on the green belt. With regard to the need for the development, the report from the Secretary of State says: "The Secretary of State agrees with the inspector's conclusion that the need for a MSA on this part of the strategic road network is indisputable, that the proposal would reduce a significant number of gaps and reduce others, and that there is no realistic prospect of an equivalent alternative site.

"She further agrees that the safety and welfare benefits endorsed by National Highways should be given substantial weight." Regarding the impact on the local economy, the report adds: "The Secretary of State agrees with the inspector's conclusion that the extent to which the proposal would be likely to act as a local destination in its own right, as opposed to a destination of choice for motorists making a long journey on the strategic road network, would be extremely limited. "There is no basis to conclude that it would result in unsustainable patterns of travel in general."

The report also says she agreed the economic and social benefits, taking account of any potential minor effects on nearby centres, 'are such to merit substantial positive weight'. With regard to the green belt, the report said: "The Secretary of State notes that, at the time the inquiry was held and the inspector's report written, it was common ground between parties that the proposed MSA would be inappropriate development in the green belt and did not fall within any of the exceptions..." It adds: "She notes the inspector's view that the impact of the development on the green belt would be substantial and that there would be an inevitable and substantial loss of openness in both spatial and visual terms."

But it adds: "She also notes the inspector's conclusions at that the cumulation of the benefits clearly outweighs the harm to the green belt."