Council bosses in shock U-turn over 'Tebay-style' M56 service station with farm shop and hotel

Its u-turn has come on the eve of a planning inspector’s inquiry into the controversial plan which was approved by Cheshire East council for the site, right next to its boundary with Trafford. Councillors on Trafford’s planning committee opposed the plan when the authority was asked for its opinion on the planning application by Cheshire East in January 2023.

Although Trafford objected, Cheshire East council approved the plan before the then-Conservative government called for a public inquiry. That inquiry began on Monday with site visits by the planning inspector and is expected to conclude early next week.

The plan for ‘Tatton Services’ offers a fuel refilling station, a farm shop and kitchen selling local produce, a 100-bed hotel and as well as 96 EV charging spaces – creating 325 new jobs for the area.  If it goes ahead it will take shape at the 39-acre green belt site between Junctions 7 and 8 of the M56.

As well as the loss of Green Belt land, councillors on Trafford’s planning committee objected because the service station – similar to the revered Cumbrian stopping point at Tebay – would adversely affect affluent local retail centres in Altrincham, Hale, Bowdon and beyond and become ‘a destination’ for shoppers.

The developers behind the scheme, Tatton Estates and Westmorland Group, also operate the popular Tebay service station.

A spokesperson for Trafford council said: “We originally objected to a new service station over harm to green belt and the sustainability of the location. However, very late evidence was submitted last week. This was a joint submission by the applicant and National Highways, which stated there was a specific need for the service station facilities on the grounds of driver welfare and safety, particularly HGV drivers.

“This was the first time National Highways had indicated there was a specific need. Had they done so earlier, we would have had a different position on the proposal. In light of the late evidence, it is now our view that welfare and safety benefits outweigh the harm and we have therefore formally withdrawn our objection. This decision was taken corporately, in consultation with senior officers and the relevant councillors. We will continue to take part in the inquiry to protect our position on planning conditions.”

However, the move has infuriated the local campaign group Stop Tatton Services (STS), made up of residents from Altrincham, Bowdon, Hale and Hale Barns. They are arguing that the applicants are ignoring  the fact that the A556/M56 Link Road to was built at a cost of £192m to successfully eradicate known road safety issues for the residents of  Knutsford and Trafford.

A spokesperson said: “STS argues that the case for the need for this development should be dismissed on the following grounds: that it is a ‘destination in its own right’, the creation of which is specifically excluded  from current planning regulations.”