Extra MSA looks to round off Warrington consents
A second reserved matters application has been lodged by the motorway services operator as it gears up for development at Junction 11 of the M62. Having secured outline consent for the project at the Birchwood Interchange by winning at appeal in 2022, Extra MSA and its planning advisor Spawforths bagged reserved matters permission for phases one and two of the redevelopment in the days before Christmas last year. That submission included phase one infrastructure: details on creating development platforms, earthworks including the diversion of Silver Lane Brook, creation of a peat habitat zone, landscaping, internal site circulation, vehicle parking including an EV hub, foul and surface water drainage feature.
It also covered phase two: a facilities building, including commercial units, seating areas, associated amenities and management suite; a 100-bed hotel and associated facilities; landscaped external areas including seating areas and play equipment, plant and associated infrastructure. This second RMA, representing phase three, sets out designs by Ingleton Wood for a hybrid filling station. There will be a refuelling forecourt for car customers, and a forecourt for HGV customers, along with a designated area for high-speed EV charging.
These services will be supported by a 3,500 sq ft building with convenience retail and other services. The professional team also includes Smeeden Foreman, FPCR, Ramboll and Aspect Ecology. Corstorphine & Wright is the architect for the main part of the development.
The proposed site is an area of undeveloped land within the originally approved site ownership boundary. It sits alongside the restored Risley landfill site. Cheshire's motorway services infrastructure is undergoing a time of change, with an inquiry earlier this year granting a green light[1] to Tatton Estate and Tebay operator Westmorland Group for a 39-acre development between junctions 7 and 8 of the M56.
Rival operator Moto Hospitality, meanwhile, lodged plans last summer[2] to increase parking provision at its Lymm facility between the M6 and M56. Permission had initially been refused for Extra's 38-acre Warrington proposal on Green Belt grounds. Spawforths summed up that the proposal represents "a sustainable and accessible location that is central to the identified gaps in provision.
The proposal for a fuel filling station makes an significant contribution to the performance of region's strategic road network both in terms of the electric charging infrastructure, but also in terms of assisting freight and the efficient movement of goods." According to council documents, the decision can be taken under delegated powers. Documents relating to the fully consented part of the development can be viewed on Warrington's planning portal with the reference 24/00963/REMM.
The fresh application can be viewed at 25/00556/REMM.
The development site sits off Junction 11 of the M62.
Credit: planning documents
References
- ^ inquiry earlier this year granting a green light (www.placenorthwest.co.uk)
- ^ lodged plans last summer (www.placenorthwest.co.uk)