Objections filed against Roadchef Catterick motorway services

Roadchef has submitted a revised application for the scheme on junction 52 at Catterick after North Yorkshire Council's original decision to grant planning permission was quashed by the High Court. A fresh consultation exercise is taking place for the proposed development on a 11-hectare former quarry at Pallet Hill Farm. The plans include shops, restaurants, a tourist information centre and a 100-bedroom hotel.

A drive-thru Costa, McDonald's restaurant, filling station, lorry park, electric vehicle charging facilities and amenity lake are also proposed. Planning documents state: "The thought behind the design of the proposals is to provide services that enable motorists to have a break in their travel, refuel, relax, eat and drink. "The proposed architecture for the site aims to sit harmoniously within the context of its rural setting with a seamless blend of materials and soft landscaping to reflect the local vernacular."

They add: "The development site was identified by Roadchef to suit the needs for the travelling public being compliant with all national policies and guidelines. "The site is currently used as open pasture land having operated previously as a quarry for gravel extraction. Its size, setting and proximity to the adjacent motorway once developed will be attractive to users of the A1(M) passing by on longer trips to and from locations elsewhere in the UK."

The original application was widely criticised by local residents with more than 700 people signing a petition against the scheme and a group, Campaign to Save Catterick's Wildfowl Habitat, being formed to fight the plans. The revised application has also attracted considerable criticism. The Environment Agency has filed an objection due to the "absence of an adequate flood risk assessment", while Yorkshire Wildlife Trust also maintains its opposition to the scheme.

A local resident, who submitted an objection, said: "The limited and largely standard sustainability measures put forward do not outweigh the identified harm. "The proposal therefore fails to represent sustainable development when assessed against the development plan as a whole." Another added: "I suggest developers look at the site close by at Leeming Bar[1].

Developing and upgrading this would be a much better way providing what travellers need without destroying the local area." Catterick Parish Council will hold a public meeting to discuss its response to the scheme on Tuesday, May 5 at 7pm in Booth Hall, Catterick Village[2]. Plans for the MSA were previously approved by the council's strategic planning committee in December 2024, after earlier being approved by the former Richmondshire District Council.

But Moto, which runs a service area at Scotch Corner and has planning permission in place to redevelop Barton Services into an MSA, successfully challenged the decision at the High Court in Leeds.

The challenge was based on the council's handling of the site's flood risk assessments.

References

1. ^ Leeming Bar (www.thenorthernecho.co.uk)
2. ^ Catterick Village (www.thenorthernecho.co.uk)