New £30 million Ripon motorway service station plans submitted

Moto Hospitality Ltd says it will create 200 full-time jobs if it is granted permission to build on the agricultural field west of Junction 50 of the A1(M) at Hutton Conyers.

The outline planning application, which has been filed with Harrogate Borough Council, is for the erection of a motorway service area comprising amenity building, lodge, petrol filling station and heavy goods and coach parking.

It will also feature a drive-through Costa coffee franchise and 366 parking spaces. A further 66 HGV and 13 coach parking spaces would also be provided on the 33 acre site.

The Moto proposal comes as another application for a service station near Ripon continues through the planning process.

Irish petrol forecourt retailer Applegreen is battling to build a new service station in Kirby Hill near Boroughbridge, with fresh plans lodged with the council earlier this year.

The application, the fifth at the site since 1996, has met with local opposition and even ended up in court.

Each time the residents, lead by the Kirby Hill Residents Against Motorway Services (RAMS) emerged victoriously.

Now, the Moto plan is looking to fill the gap at Ripon, which falls outside the Government’s recommended 28 miles between motorway service areas.

The planning application states that: ”The final proposals illustrate high-quality outline designs, which appropriately respond to and appreciate the site’s opportunities and constraints, local context and characteristics and its wider visual setting.

“The proposed MSA also represents an investment of circa £30 million in the local economy and the provision of around 200 permanent jobs with further roles generated in the local supply chain.

The report adds: “Subject to granting of planning permission, it is intended that the works will start on site in early 2020, with an opening date in the spring of 2021.”