M5 service station in Gloucestershire decision delayed

Planning permission for the new service station was approved by Stroud District Council in August 2010

A decision as to whether plans for a new service station on the M5 in Gloucestershire were lawfully approved will be made within the next few weeks.

The reserved judgement was given by Mr Justice Bean at the High Court in Birmingham after a judicial review.

He said he needs more time to rule on the decision for the new service area between J11a and J12 at Brookthorpe.

Stroud District Council passed the plans in August 2010 but two rival service station operators objected.

The £35m proposed motorway service area is a joint venture between Westmorland Limited, which owns Tebay services in the Lake District, and Gloucestershire Gateway Trust.

Welcome Break and Roadchef said their objection to the plans - based on analysis of the need for another service area - was not fully considered by the council in granting permission.