DISQUIET is building in a community over fears that a controversial service station plan, likened to ‘Frankenstein’s monster’ could be back on the table.

A pre-planning application request has been submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) to build the station on land near Cliddesden Lane, opposite the Portsmouth Arms pub, in Hatch Warren.

The move comes after previous plans to build a service station in the area were met with criticism from residents and councillors and this new request, led by Irish firm Applegreen, has already been branded as “completely unnecessary” by those living in the area.

Applegreen is currently seeking advice from the borough council’s planning officers on how best to proceed with its proposal before a formal planning application is submitted.

It is believed if an application is submitted, the station would be accessible from both northbound and southbound traffic on the M3. This would require a flyover and route changes to Beggarwood Lane.

Hatch Warren and Beggarwood ward councillor Terri Reid said the news that a pre-application could be imminent has come as a complete shock.

Cllr Reid, also BDBC deputy leader, said: “This news has dropped out of the sky and has come completely out of nowhere.

“The real concern is that they have moved the proposed site much closer to houses and there will be more construction with some form of flyover having to be built.

“So all the associated noise that comes with that is really going to impact these people.”

Cllr Reid said from what she had seen of the request, it is like a “Frankenstein’s monster.” She added: “It is baffling if this is what they are proposing, it is like they have gone away and come back with something worse.”

Basingstoke South West Action Group (SWAG) has been getting residents views ahead of any potential plan being submitted and is to host an open meeting on February 18, 2018 at the Hatch Warren Community Centre.

SWAG committee member, Stafford Napier, said: “From our understanding there is no need for a motorway service station in this area. Our concerns are firstly, the impact on the residents in Hatch Warren, second, road safety with the potential of slip roads on the motorway being so close together and finally the impact on the land as well.”

“At the moment we aren’t sure what is going to happen, but if a plan is to be submitted I can’t imagine it would be good.”

News of the pre-application request comes weeks after Moto Hospitality submitted an application to build a hotel and coffee shop as part of a new motorway service station at Junction 6 of the M3.

Applegreen did not wish to comment further, other than to confirm it was at the pre-planning application request stage with BDBC.