Fears over new M5 motorway service station plans
Concerns over plans for a new motorway service station in the county have been raised by city councillors.
Proposals over a new facility on land in Brookthorpe should be rejected due to the location, said members of Gloucester City Council’s planning committee.
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The area where the station could be built
The Gloucester Gateway Trust wants to build the state-of-the-art new services with the promise of 300 new jobs.
The final decision rests with Stroud District Council.
Labour councillor Mary Smith, who represents Matson, one of the areas closest to the proposed site, said the decision would be a difficult one.
She said: “I think if we were looking at any ordinary service station, it would be an instant no, but I do think there are some merits to this.
“I do accept there will be an effect on the area, but I’m also looking at the other side of it.”
Councillors Norman Ravenhill (Con, Abbey) and Nigel Hanman (Con, Grange) raised concerns about the use of Upton Lane by heavy goods vehicles, and officers agreed to ask for a restriction to be imposed.
Councillor Hanman added: “I represent the people in Grange.
“As people have been flooded out before, I’m worried about the run-off water going into Daniel’s Brook.”
Chairing the meeting, Councillor Phil McLellan (Lib Dem, Barnwood), said: “I agree with Mary.
“I think it has quite a few merits.
“On the whole I think this is a good scheme.”
Councillors also heard from two speakers, Jeni Parsons, the rector of Matson, who supported the scheme and the effect it would have on the local economy, and Kay Powell, a resident, who said the station would have an adverse effect on the views from Robinswood Hill.
Other councillors said alternative locations should be looked at.
28 Comments
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by Kay Powell, Tredworth
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 3:32PM
“Ah, what insight into a complicated matter is shown by "just build it" of Stroud. Perhaps this individual would do us the favour of contacting the Highways Agency and explaining to them just how foolish they have been to raise so many complaints about the design of the service station. And then he (or she) could contact all of the hundreds of objectors and explain to them that the service station will be a boon to the area, even though there will be no farm shop and no more than 150 jobs, most of which will probably go to agency staff because locals won't want them when they see how poorly paid they are.”
by just build it, stroud
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 8:04PM
“stop moaning about it and start building it.”
by Kay Powell, Tredworth
Monday, March 08 2010, 3:09PM
“Explanation of my last comment:
Someone pretending to be me had posted a comment on this website; it has now been removed.”
by Kay Powell, Tredworth
Monday, March 08 2010, 2:57PM
“Now the supporters of the MSA are so desperate that they are using impersonation.”
by Janet Cooper, Gloucester
Monday, March 08 2010, 12:38PM
“I can't support the building of a motorway service area that despoils an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and ruins the view from Robinswood Hill, not to mention the adverse effect it would have on local wildlife. I don't think we need another MSA here, between Strensham and Michael Wood. These two service areas are only 33 miles apart, after all.
Janet”
by avril glos, Gloucestershire
Monday, March 08 2010, 12:02PM
“Hello NOT 12 - a much improved junction would be preferable to ruining the countryside.”
by Kay Powell, Tredworth
Monday, March 08 2010, 12:01AM
“Oh, yes, I nearly forgot - Tebay also has a popular hotel, and there isn't going to be one here. It's just going to be a Motorway Service Area.”
by Kay Powell, Tredworth
Sunday, March 07 2010, 11:58PM
“Michele Nicholls,
This application is absolutely nothing like Tebay, but the applicant wants people to believe that it is. Tebay has a small car and lorry park, a farm shop, restaurant, caravan park and conference centre. This application has a large car and lorry park, cafe and not much else; there will be no farm shop because the planners won't allow one. The design is also in the process of being changed because it was unacceptable to the Highways Agency.”
by Michele Nicholls, Gloucestershire, UK
Sunday, March 07 2010, 6:05PM
“I suggest critics take a trip up the M6 to Tebay Services and see in the flesh what sort of thing is proposed. The potential for new outlets for local producer is enormous, and would be foolish to discard. It is VERY symapthetic to its environment, too.”
by Kay Powell, Tredworth
Saturday, March 06 2010, 12:16PM
“Fat Sam, Abbeymead:
I'm having to post this comment again because TiG removed it - presumably they think that it is slanderous, but it isn't.
It is a matter of public record that Gloucestershire Gateway is NOT a charity. The Charity Commission was not happy to learn that it has been calling itself a charity since at least 16th September last year, but has so far not been able to achieve charity status.
The information on Gloucestershire Gateway's website is not all accurate. You need to look at the actual application on Stroud District Council's website and also read the submissions from, among others, the Highways Agency. By the way, the South West Design Panel is not a government agency, as you might think, but a group of architects who will have been paid for their recommendation in exactly the same way that Pegasus Planning have been paid to make the planning application.
Also, many of the organisations that have given their support are expecting to receive money from the project in the future. TiG: please don't remove this comment without looking into the facts of my claims.”