BASINGSTOKE residents are objecting again after a service station operator is making fresh plans to build a ‘controversial’ service station near Junction 6.

The application has been rumbling on since 2017, when Moto Hospitality put forward its plans to build a 100-room hotel, drive-thru Costa Coffee, petrol station and shop on agricultural land to the south of Junction 6 of the M3 near Black Dam roundabout.

It was met with much criticism at the time, including from Basingstoke MP Maria Miller.

The initial proposal caused Highways England to raise a number of concerns over Moto's suggestion that the carriageway of the roundabout and the M3 be widened.

The two parties have since worked together, and the renamed National Highways no longer has any objections.

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But following a further period of public consultation which ended in 2020, more than 350 people had objected to the plans, forcing the operator to leave the planning application midway.

Moto Hospitality, undeterred by the setbacks, is now readying a revised proposal. The new submission includes additional information, such as responses to consultations, a lighting impact assessment, an ecology mitigation report, drainage details, and technical notes.

The amended application has been receiving further objections from a council leader and residents who are taking to the planning portal to record their concerns.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council co-leader Gavin James told the Gazette: “I can't see how this proposal benefits the borough. Winchester and Fleet services provide ample coverage for the M3. We also have a fantastic town centre, just five minutes drive from the junction. The mix of big brands and local businesses there offer far more than Moto can offer in a glorified laybuy which will be an unnecessary scar on the countryside.

"If you need a break from driving you can come in and experience what Basingstoke has to offer, rather than sit in a roadside carbon copy of what is 20 minutes away in either direction."

James Ellis, one of the residents who objected to the plans, wrote on the planning portal: "I have concerns about the negative impact of additional traffic flows into and out of Basingstoke, that would result from this proposed development, at what is already a very busy junction. The recently submitted traffic survey from Moto shows a 20 per cent increase in peak morning traffic flows from the Black Dam to the Junction 6 roundabout, when compared to 2017. This will be very significantly negatively impacted with the addition of the proposed development.

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“There is also a significant pollution risk into the River Loddon from this proposed development.

“The recent ecology study submitted by Moto also shows that there is likely to be a loss of habitat for bats, as a result of the proposed development. This cannot be right, when the Crabtree and Black Dam Ponds were recently declared a Local Nature Reserve.”

Another resident, Angela Fewster wrote: “There is no requirement for another motorway service area. M3 Fleet Services are only 9 miles away, M3 Winchester Services 14 miles and A303 Popham petrol station 8 miles. There are numerous petrol stations, hotels, restaurants and retail outlets available within Basingstoke centre and surrounding area, so further amenities are not required. In fact, the hospitality and retail trades have found customers slowing in the present climate and closures have taken place.

“This application to construct a new motorway service area will have no positive impact for the borough of Basingstoke and Deane, only negative impact, taking valuable revenue and passing trade away from the town. It is a speculative, financial exercise by the developer who has made only inadequate concessions to the serious environmental and ecological problems it would generate.”

The plan to build a service area at Black Dam Roundabout was submitted shortly after another operator, Applegreen, investigated the possibility of building a service area two miles away at Kempshott.

Applegreen has not followed up on its proposal since.

A Moto spokesperson said: “We are continuing to listen to feedback from the local community and council regarding our proposed new site on the M3, and will work closely with community groups and Basingstoke and Deane Council to ensure their feedback is considered within any amendments to our plans."