CURRENT infrastructure would not be able to cope with the demands of a new service station.

This is according to Thames Water in regards to a planning application to a new Moto Service Station at junction 6 of the M3.

The plans have been met with wide spread concern from residents, with the local ward councillor saying that it would have a huge impact on the environment and “treasured land” around Black Dam.

In the application submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, it is proposed that a 100-room hotel, a drive-thru Costa Coffee, petrol station and a shop be built on the land.

With Old Basing ward councillor, Cllr Onnallee Cubitt having previously signified a concern that the sewage infrastructure would not being able to cope, saying “there will be 5,000 extra poos a day.”

This concern has now been echoed by Thames Water.

A comment on the application the water supply firm reads: “Thames Water has identified an inability of the existing foul water network infrastructure to accommodate the needs of this development proposal.

“Thames Water have contacted the developer in an attempt to agree a drainage strategy but have been unable to do so in the time available.”

In addition the water supply and waste water treatment company said no development should take place on the land until all wastewater network upgrades required to accommodate the additional flows from the development had been completed.

The firm added: “The development may lead to sewage flooding and network reinforcement works are anticipated to be necessary to ensure that sufficient capacity is made available to accommodate additional flows anticipated from the new development.”

These concerns come a week after Basingstoke’s MP Maria Miller launched a parliamentary petition to object to the plans as well as a potential second plan near Hatch Warren.

Mrs Miller said: "Thames Water has told the borough council that the sewage infrastructure would be unable to accommodate the needs of the Moto development at junction 6, and it could lead to sewage flooding and potential pollution incidents.”

“This is deeply worrying, and we need to make it clear that sewage flooding as a result of unnecessary motorway services is totally unacceptable. The more signatures we have, the greater the impact will be, and I would encourage local residents to sign up and have their say.”

The deadline for signatures is Monday,16 April, for copies of the petition visit maria4basingstoke-admin.conservativewebsites.org.uk/news/parliamentary-petition-basingstoke-residents-against-motorway-service-areas.