DEVELOPERS proposing to build a service station at Kennel Farm believe the motorway site will create around 200 new jobs.

Applegreen is considering using the Beggarwood site to build a new motorway service area on the land adjacent to the M3 motorway at Kennel Farm.

At present Applegreen has submitted an environmental scoping application to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC), from its subsidiary firm of the filling station company Petrogas. 

If successful, the facility would include nearly 300 car parking spaces, fuelling stations, a service area amenity building, a picnic area and a drainage scheme.

Des Stafford, head of developments UK for Applegreen, said: “We are committed to creating new jobs for local people to boost local economies.

“Alongside that, there will be opportunities for increased business for local traders to provide goods to the store.

“We are at an early stage in the development of our approach for the site.

"This is an ideal time team to start a dialogue with our neighbours to understand their concerns and issues so we can ensure we address them as our proposals take shape.”

The company plans to meet with locals today, to discuss any concerns that they may have, at Hatch Warren Community Centre, in Longcross Lane, between 12pm and 8pm.

According to Applegreen, the motorway service area is considered a requirement to meet safety regulations relating to distances between rest areas. The two closest service stations to this proposed site are at Shroner Wood, in Winchester, and Fleet. The firm also believes that the facility will not create any additional noise or have any other inconvenience for neighbouring communities. 

But councillors slammed the plans last month, calling them “unacceptable”.

Deputy leader of BDBC and Hatch Warren and Beggarwood ward councillor, Cllr Terri Reid, said: “The traffic around this area will go up once again, considering the 38 vans and lorries that already leave the digestion plant that we were against, and it is a massive concern.”

What are your views on the plans? Email your opinions to newsdesk@basingstokegazette.co.uk.