A ‘Tebay-style’ service station planned for a motorway in the north west of England has been delayed after the government called for an inquiry.
The plan for Tatton Services on the M56 offers a fuel refilling station; a farm shop and kitchen selling local produce; a 100-bed hotel; as well as 96 EV charging spaces – creating 325 new jobs for the area.
The new motorway service area, to be placed at the 39-acre green belt site between Junctions 7 and 8, was given the green light by Cheshire East Council last year.
The approval led to uproar from local campaigners, leading to secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities (DLUHC), Michael Gove, calling in the application with a planning inquiry beginning on 15 October.
The developers behind the scheme, Tatton Estates and Westmorland Group, also operate the popular Tebay service station and thanked Cheshire East Council and all their supporters, but criticised the decision to call-in the development which further stalls the project.
A spokesman said: “Tatton Services is an amazing project and first and foremost we would like to thank everyone who has supported this exciting project and the resulting jobs for Cheshire so far, especially Cheshire East Council.
“Whilst we are obviously disappointed by the inevitable delay from the government, taking away the decision from the locally elected leaders who had already approved it, we remain steadfastly committed to the project.
“We will continue to make the case to decision makers so people can benefit from the local jobs, sustainable growth and vital road safety improvements this project will secure.”
Campaigner Bill Dixon has previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The consequence of this is an unnecessary and damaging development with the loss of valuable green belt and considerable safety, congestion and local economic impact.”
He added that the service station will be a “destination attraction’”and not a stopping point for motorists to rest, which could damage businesses in the surrounding communities of Altrincham, Hale and Sale.
Tebay Services in Cumbria is regulary declared as one of England’s best services from Which Magzaine to comedian Frank Skinner who one said: “If there is a road to heaven, Tebay Services would be the service station on that road.”