Plans to build a motorway service station with a farm shop selling delicious pies near the M56 has sparked a row between two councils. The proposed site, on Green Belt land between Junction 7 and 8 of the motorway - not far from the Altrincham, Hale, Bowdon and Sale retail centres - is inside the Cheshire East council boundary.
That authority has asked neighbouring Trafford council for its views on the plan. At last night’s planning and development management committee meeting members agreed to write to Cheshire objecting to the service station.
Councillors say the plan to build on Green Belt is ‘not a special circumstance’ as required under planning law to build on such land. There are also fears that the service station - similar to the revered Cumbrian stopping point at Tebay - would adversely affect affluent local retail centres and become ‘a destination’ for shoppers.
READ MORE: Police offer £50,000 reward in hunt for killer of 16-year-old Kennie Carter
The argument against agreeing to the plan was led by Green councillor Michael Welton.
He said forcefully: “Pies are not special circumstances for building on Green Belt and at the very least we need to say that. We would be letting our residents down if we don’t object to this.”
The plan, brought forward by applicant Tatton Services Ltd, includes an ‘amenity building’ with a farm shop and kitchen and a 100-bedroom hotel, a ‘fuel barn/filling station’, 65 car park spaces and 58 lorry spaces and more for coaches and caravans and motorhomes. The service station would be operated by Westmorland Ltd, which also runs motorway service areas at Tebay, Gloucester and Cairn Lodge in Scotland.
Fears were also voiced over the effect the service station may have on nearby heritage assets, including the grade one and two listed buildings on the Dunham Massey Estate, the Watch Hill (Trafford's only scheduled ancient monument), Bowgreen Farmhouse (grade two), West Bank Farmhous (grade two), Bowdon Conservation Area and Devisdale Conservation Area.
Conservative councillor Dave Morgan, wh represents Hale Barns ward, said: “I object to this being defined as a motorway services station. It would be there because they want to build a retail outlet south of Hale, Bowdon and Altrincham and north of Knutsford.
“I go past this junction most days on my way to work. There are other service stations not that far along.
“Even with the M56 road works, it’s only 10 minutes from the airport and Altrincham. There is no reason for special circumstances [n the case] to build on Green Belt.”
Chairman of the committee Coun Ben Hartley said he agreed with Coun Welton that preserving the Green Belt was 'a better reason to object' than its impact on local town centres.
READ NEXT:
- The tragedy of an 'adored' dad-of-three, 29, killed in tram crash
- Mum left with bald patches after 'drunk woman' hurled abuse and ripped out her hair in attack that halted Lewis Capaldi gig
- 'Selfish' parents caught parking across driveways near primary school
- The hilltop trail in Greater Manchester with stunning views on a clear winter’s day
- Perverted loner who took hundreds of pictures of women's bottoms is now behind bars
