A community interest group strongly opposed to the construction of a new service station is encouraging people to respond to a consultation.
Gary Ansell, chairman of the Kings Langley & District Residents Association, is leading a public pushback against a motorway service station proposed at Junction 20 of the M25 near Kings Langley that he says will pollute the Green Belt.
Site 3D view
Moto Hospitality Limited submitted an outline planning application to Three Rivers District Council starting a 30-day consultation.
Mr Ansell said the group are “concerned” there will be a “detrimental effect” on the area due to rising traffic which could be made worse if a second site by rival company Extra is approved between Junction 16 and 17.
Fellow campaigner Barbara Brockhurst said she is “dreading” the development which she fears will create “absolute chaos” on the roads.
Moto has proposed to install a Greggs, M&S Simply Food, WHSmith, KFC, Burger King, Costa Coffee and a games centre within a 4,560sq m building, together with a fuel filling station with 16 parking spaces, a drive thru Costa Coffee and a 2,319sq m 80-bed “lodge”.
Ground floor plan
As part of the development an access road off the A41 using a newly-constructed roundabout between the M25 and St. Paul’s Church will be built.
A 750-space car park, a 94-space HGV parking area, a caravan park for 21 units and 19 coach spaces are also planned.
Construction it is expected to start in 2020.
Building parameters plan
Speaking to the Watford Observer Mr Ansell said: “The Kings Langley & District Residents Association is very much opposed this application and the villagers we represent are very concerned.
“We have been monitoring Three Rivers District Council’s planning applications because we knew this one was going to hit at some time.
“This most recent article by the Watford Observer provides an excellent insight into how big the whole site is going to be and we are very concerned about the detrimental effect the service station will have on Kings Langley and the local area in terms of traffic, pollution and filling up Green Belt that helps define our village.
“The fact that it’s going to be stuck on the A41 when another service station has been proposed by Extra not far away between Junction 16 and 17 and the idea it would not have any effect on local roads is madness.
“We want to encourage as many people as possible who oppose this application to respond to the consultation as individuals as this will carry more weight than just one objection from the Residents Association, although we will be preparing a thorough response.”
Mrs Brockhurst from nearby Watford Road added: “This road is pretty busy already and I fear it will become absolute chaos.
“This development is going to have a massive impact on the A41 and the lay of the land in general.
“We will be looking at lights all night long as well as the destruction of the Green Belt. I am dreading it.”
Lodge, ground floor
The Liberal Democrats started a petition opposing the service station last year. Details can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/ServiceStations
The TRDC planning search page is: http://www3.threerivers.gov.uk/online-applications
Previous story https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/17567063.detailed-plan-for-m25-moto-service-station-near-kings-langley-released/?ref=twtrec
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