Issue C – Need for an MSA Ltd Vale of York MSA August 2020 ______

ISSUE C – THE NEED FOR A FURTHER MSA ON THE A1(M) TO THE NORTH OF 1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 In principle, Moto Hospitality Limited (“Moto”) agrees with the Appellant that there is a need for a on the section of the A1(M) north of Wetherby MSA. The question for the appeal is where that would be best located to serve motorways users taking into account the Development Plan, national planning policy and all the relevant material considerations. It is Moto’s considered view that an MSA at Ripon, Junction 50 would be most beneficial and least harmful to the Borough and users of the A1(M).

2.0 EXISTING PROVISION ON THE A1(M)

2.1 The Section of A1(M) the subject of consideration at this Appeal concerns the gap in motorway service area provision between Wetherby MSA (Junction 46) and Durham MSA (junction 61). The distance or gap between these services is 61 miles.

2.2 Between Wetherby and Durham are a number of other services areas known as “Motorway Rest Areas” (“MRAs”). These do not provide the full range of parking and other facilities to qualify for full MSA provision but do qualify for MRA signing form the motorway. It is recognised that MRAs contribute to the safety and welfare of motorway users. There are two MRAs at Leeming Bar and Scotch Corner. Leeming Bar also has the benefit of lawfully implemented planning permission for an MSA, but the full works have not yet been undertaken (CD9.64).

2.3 Also located between Wetherby and Durham MSAs is the Barton Truck Stop. This provides for HGVs primarily but like an MRA does not provide for the full mandatory facilities for an MSA. Barton does have a lawfully implemented planning permission for an MSA but has not yet been fully constructed. There is a further truck Stop at Coneygarth at Junction 51 of the A1(M). 3.0 CIRCULAR 02/2013 (CD5.3) - NEED AND SPACING

3.1 The previous Circular in respect of MSA provision was Circular 01/2008 “Policy on Service Areas and other Roadside Facilities on Motorways and All Purpose Trunk Roads” (CD5.5). This required the developer of the MSA to demonstrate need for road safety purposes. It also established that a separation of at least 28 miles was required between MSAs.

3.2 Circular 02/2013 takes a different approach to the provision of MSAs. There is no requirement to prove need as this is the raison d'être for the delivery of MSAs for safety and welfare needs of motorway users. The minimum distance between MSA has been removed.

3.3 This is no minimum distance (paragraph B6). The maximum distance should be no more than 28 miles (paragraph B6).

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Issue C – Need for an MSA Moto Hospitality Ltd Vale of York MSA August 2020 ______

3.4 Paragraph B8 confirms that “the distances set out above are considered appropriate for all parts of the strategic road network and to be in the interests and for the benefit of all road users…in determining applications for new or improved sites, local planning authorities should not need to consider the merits of the spacing of sites beyond conformity with the maximum and minimum spacing criteria”. It is clear that need existing on the A1(M) and the gap between Wetherby and Durham MSAs is beyond 28 miles where there is a requirement to meet safety and welfare needs.

3.5 I set out a table of the relevant provision on the A1(M) based on Mr Roberts Table 3.2 in his Proof of evidence. These include the Proposed Ripon and Catterick MSAs:

Ref Facility Description A Wetherby MSA An off-line MSA on J46 of the A1(M) A0 Vale of York (Proposed) New grade separated junction off the A1(M) between junctions 46 & 47. Provision of MSA but without overnight accommodation. A1 Ripon MSA (Proposed) Access from roundabout at Junction 50 of A1(M). Full MSA including overnight accommodation. B Leeming Bar MRA An off-line MRA located off the strategic road network off J51 of the A1(M). It has an MSA permission which has been lawfully implemented. It has not been built out. C (Excelby) Coneygarth An off-line Truckstop located off the strategic road network off J51 Truckstop of the A1(M) D Scotch Corner MRA An off-line MRA on J56 of the A1(M). No facilities for HGVs. D1 Catterick MSA (Proposed) An off-line MSA at J52 of the A1(M). E Barton Truckstop An off-line Truckstop located off the strategic road network off J56 of the A1(M). Very limited facilities. It has a historic MSA permission, which the operator says has been ‘technically’ implemented. However, it has never been built out.

F Durham MSA An off-line MSA located off the strategic road network off J61 of the A1(M) G Washington MSA An on-line / off-line hybrid at Junction 64 of the A1(M)

3.6 The proposed Vale of York MSA at present would lie between Wetherby MSA and Leeming Bar MRA.

3.7 I have produced a gap distance table below which excludes the Truck Stops. I have also produced below a diagram of services on the A1(M) below::

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Issue C – Need for an MSA Moto Hospitality Ltd Vale of York MSA August 2020 ______

Distance in Miles

Ferrybridge Wetherby of Vale York RiponMSA LeemingBar ScotchCorner Durham

Ferrybridge MSA 27 40.6 36 47 58 80

Wetherby MSA 27 13.6 19 28 39 61

Vale of York MSA 40.6 13.6 14.4 25.4 47.4

Ripon MSA 36 19 10 21 43

Leeming Bar MRA 47 28 14.4 10 11 33 Scotch Corner MRA 58 39 25.4 21 11 22

Durham MSA 80 61 47.4 43 33 22

Services Diagram ______

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Issue C – Need for an MSA Moto Hospitality Ltd Vale of York MSA August 2020 ______

3.8 The table above shows that the Vale of York MSA proposal is skewed southward such that it lies just 13.6 miles from Wetherby leaving a gap to the north to Durham of 47.4 miles. The Ripon MSA has a better spacing relative to Wetherby and Durham and other services on the A1(M).

3.9 In terms of spacing Circular 1/2008 (CD5.5) stated at paragraph 59 noted that:

“Where infill sites are proposed, the Government’s preference will be that they should be located roughly halfway between MSAs, unless it can be shown that an off-centre location is more suitable in either operational, safety or spatial planning terms or in its ability to meet a particular and significant need”.

3.10 Although no longer extant the logic underlying spacing remains extant in land-use planning terms. It is far more logical to locate a new MSA with greater separation to other MSAs. In this regard the proposed Ripon MSA performs better than the Vale of York.

4.0 CONCLUSION

4.1 Moto confirms there is a need for an MSA in this section of the A1(M). Need is intrinsic to the provision of an MSA and does need to be proven. There is no minimum distance between MSAs but logically in land use planning terms the closer to equidistant spacing the better. The Ripon MSA meets this requirement.

5.0 Ripon/Vale of York MSA Comparison Table

5.1 The table below looks at the nature of each MSA and considers the impacts on the landscape and other material considerations.

Issue Moto Ripon Vale of York 1 Site Content 1.1 Facilities Amenity Building Yes Yes Fuel Filling Station Yes Yes Drive Thru Yes Yes Lodge (Overnight Accommodation) Yes No Car parking 366 364 Staff Parking 13 10 Forecourt Parking 8 Not Stated HGVs 66 90 Coaches 13 18 Caravans 8 13 Motorcycles 14 20 Abnormal Load 1 1 Future Proof Included Yes 20% Yes 10%

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Issue C – Need for an MSA Moto Hospitality Ltd Vale of York MSA August 2020 ______1.2 Land Take Development Area 13.35 hectares 14.1 hectares Infrastructure 0 hectares 5.74 hectares Total 13.35 hectares 19.84 hectares

1.3 Engineering Requirements Site Access New access from existing New grade separated roundabout at Junction 50 junction requiring 5.74 hectares New Lighting MSA lighting within the Introduction of lighting context of existing illuminated columns to overbridge and junction (12m columns), roundabouts, with majority generally below the level of of lighting in a currently unlit the junction, and to west of area the A1(M), minimising the effect. 2 Landscape Designations 2.1 National None None 2.2 Local None PROW & Recreation viewed from east 3 Loss of Landscape Resource 3.1 Loss of Existing Landscape Juvenile tree & shrubs in Grassland Loss of C250m2 on road None embankment Loss of woodland None 7200m2 Loss of hedgerows None 955lm 3.2 Loss of Soils & Agricultural Land Loss of BMV None 14.1 Grade 2 BMV Loss of soils on or off-site 26.500m3 68,000m3 4 Net Gain for Biodiversity (NGB) NGB Calculation Yes 10% No 5 Local Landscape Character 5.1 Change of Landscape Character a Effect on Landscape Character to Minimal effect to the east of The new road infrastructure East of Motorway the motorway. will change the character of the area with the additional roundabouts, overbridge, and diversion of the A168. The additional lighting will bring a large number of columns onto the skyline in a location where none currently exist. Major infrastructure illuminated at high level adjacent to and

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Issue C – Need for an MSA Moto Hospitality Ltd Vale of York MSA August 2020 ______spanning the motorway, will create adverse change to the character of the landscape that will be perceived from near to middle distance locations to the east b Effect on Landscape Character to Adverse effects on landscape The new road infrastructure West of Motorway character in the immediate and views of the site will vicinity of the site from the significantly change the A61 in the short and medium character of the area within term, and a change in the site, and the character of character to more woodland the view from local views to along the A61 up to the the north, from both existing junction for half of the site overbridges and a section of boundary. Site planting would the B6265 to the south with reduce existing adverse effects views of the elevated of motorway evergreen roundabouts, overbridge, planting in the longer term traffic and lighting columns, and the site itself, depending on the location of the viewer. 6 Visibility 6.1 Views from Publicly accessible viewpoints a PROW No views generally from the Views of infrastructure and east with one footpath (east of lighting on the skyline from A1(M)) within 1 Km, and no footpaths east of the views from footpaths around motorway from rural Melmerby at >1.2 Km. locations.

b Local Roads – Near Distance Near distance views from A61 Open views across site from in the immediate vicinity of Moor Lane to the north. the site. Oblique minor partial Views into and across the view from the local road to the site from both existing NW of site. overbridges to the north and south along with views of the new overbridge and adjacent roundabouts. Views of the MSA road infrastructure from diverted A168. c Local Roads – Middle Distance Limited to a few specific Views from local roads east locations west of the site from of site of lighting, major which only the highest part of infrastructure and/or the Amenity block and Utilities relocated A168 chimney will be seen within ______

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Issue C – Need for an MSA Moto Hospitality Ltd Vale of York MSA August 2020 ______the new site tree planting and against the backdrop of the wooded motorway boundary 6.2 Proximity & Views from Heritage Assets a Heritage assets in proximity to site There are no heritage assets of The settings of 20 significance either within the designated heritage assets site or within 1 Km of the site within 3 Km of the site boundary. The search also reviewed. included other designated assets that may have had a wider influence, but none were identified. b Heritage assets/settings affected None Within the visual context of Skelton Windmill (Grade 2 listed building at 630m) with views into the MSA. The windmill seen in the context of the MSA and MSA lighting in some views. Views from Kirby Hill church and churchyard (Grade 1 listed building at 908m) of new infrastructure and lighting 7.0 Sustainability Aspects a Carbon reduction Yes Yes b Electric charging Yes Yes c Resource Minimisation Yes 5.74 hectares of unnecessary road access infrastructure d Sustainable drainage Yes Yes e Flood Risk Zone 1 Zone 1 f Renewable energy Yes, Biomass energy centre No details g Passive Design Yes Yes, Green Roof h BREEAM Yes Yes

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