New £30m service station moves closer to approval

A new £30m service station has moved a step closer approval after council officers recommended planning permission be granted.

The station, proposed by Moto, will be just off Junction 16 of the M4 near Swindon and is expected to accommodate 240 cars and 63 lorries.

Wiltshire councils' planning officers recommended that the scheme gets approved despite 38 of the 42 responses objecting to the plan, which requires a further planning application before it can proceed.

The report says that the new service station would provide a "significant amount of job creation" while "contributing to meeting the UK net zero targets".

Plans show the service station building would be built in the middle of the diamond-shaped land between the motorway and the B4005 Wharf Road.

The report said: "The proposal represents a significant economic investment in much-needed modern infrastructure to support the safer operation of the strategic road network, improving the quality of HGV driver welfare whilst contributing to meeting the UK net zero targets.

"The proposal would provide a net gain in biodiversity and a significant amount of job creation for local residents."

Plans were first submitted in 2023, but a revised proposal was put in in 2024.

On 10 February a public meeting will take place to finalise the council's decision on outline permission. Planning details of layout, design and appearance will be provided as part of the new application.

The scheme has support from Lydiard Tregoze Parish Council within whose area it sits, as well as support from neighbouring authorities such as Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council.

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