BASINGSTOKE’S MP is set to spearhead a campaign against two plans to build M3 service stations at the town’s two motorway junctions.

As previously reported by The Gazette, plans have been submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council by Moto Hospitality to build a new service station on agricultural land to the south of Junction 6 of the M3.

This, along with expected plans to be submitted by Irish firm Applegreen for a service area on land near Cliddesden Lane, opposite the Portsmouth Arms pub, in Hatch Warren, near Junction 7, have prompted residents to raise serious concerns that both plans are “unnecessary”.

In light of this, Basingstoke’s MP Maria Miller is set to launch a parliamentary petition against both plans.

The idea of the petition is not only to protect the land these plans are proposed for, but it also aims to raise awareness of the issues surrounding both proposals.

Hatch Warren and Beggarwood ward councillor Terri Reid said: “One part of the petition is to reinstate the minimum distance policy to protect the environment and in turn will help reduce traffic worries.

“We have clearly said that the potential of a plan in Hatch Warren is completely unnecessary and the developers keep going back and changing things before it goes out for consultation.

“This in itself is causing issues for residents and they don’t even know when plans might be submitted.”

She added: “We want to log this with the government as it is a major concern for our residents and I know that myself and Maria have had correspondence with residents about the concerns of traffic and disruption these service areas will bring.”

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

Mrs Miller will officially launch the petition today in two locations around the borough seeking signatures.

The petition will be at The Portsmouth Arms, in Hatch Warren Way at 1pm and the Lime Pits at 1.45pm.

To view the Junction 6 plan, go to planning.basingstoke.gov.uk/online-applications.