Gove to rule 'Tebay-style' services for M56

The services would be built derelict land near Tatton Park

Cabinet minister Michael Gove is to have the final say on a plan to build a "Tebay-style" motorway services on green belt land near the M56.

Services similar to the renowned Tebay stop on the M6 in Cumbria would be built between junctions seven and eight next to Tatton Park.

Cheshire East council's strategic planning board voted to give its consent on Wednesday.

However, the scheme is opposed by neighbouring Trafford Council.

The Cheshire East authority voted for the plan by seven to three.

Trafford's border is only 100m from the site, and the council is backed by 150 objectors including residents and local groups.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reports that Mr Gove, the secretary of state for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, must rule on the case as planning law stipulates the government has to decide if the case is a sufficient "special circumstance" to waive the green belt status.

'Incongruous'

The bid to build a Tatton Services, with an emphasis on local farm produce, has been hatched by the family-owned Westmorland group which owns Tebay Services, near Penrith, and similar stop-offs in Gloucester and at Cairn Lodge in Scotland.

Chair of Westmorland group Sarah Dunning told the board it would "build on the model" of Tebay to "transform a derelict farming business into a vibrant service area", creating 130 permanent jobs and 325 temporary ones.

However, much of the debate raged around whether a service station was needed on the 33-mile long motorway which links Chester and Manchester.

Councillor Hannah Moss said the plan would "provide significant improvement" to the derelict farm buildings on the site.

Her colleague Councillor Steve Edgar said: "The site being designated green belt seems incongruous when it's surrounded by motorways and slip roads."

But Councillor Andrew Kolker disagreed: "It's open countryside that should be protected."

He said the council officers' assessment that the service station was needed to fill gaps in the local motorway network was flawed and described the M56 as a commuter route.