A FIRM which runs more than 30 service stations in Britain has informed a district council of its intention to submit plans for services at Catterick, writes Kirsty Card.

Roadchef Motorways Ltd has written to Richmondshire District Council about plans for a new motorway service station at junction 52 of the A1(M), near Catterick Village and Catterick Racecourse.

Roadchef’s chairman, Simon Turl said: "We are very excited about the opportunity to provide a service area facility to serve this new section of motorway, providing a significant boost to the local economy and jobs for local people.

“We are in the early stages of the planning process but hope that we can progress quickly now that the motorway improvements have been completed, so that the significant benefits to drivers, motorway safety and the local economy can be delivered as soon as possible."

The proposal is for services which would include a hotel with 40 bedrooms, a fuel filling station, a drive thru coffee shop and electric vehicle charging points.

There would also be parking for 350 cars and 66 HGVs.

Jill Davis, at Davis Planning Partnership, who are working for Roadchef, states: “Because of the location of this site on land lower than its surroundings because of its history of quarrying, the impact of the proposal on aspects of the environment will be limited."

Services already exist north at Scotch Corner and south at Leeming.