A CRUCIAL council meeting to decide whether to allow a major motorway services development off junction 52 of the A1 has been postponed.

Richmondshire District Council’s planning committee was due to meet at the Holiday Inn at Scotch Corner at 3pm today to decide on the scheme.

Read more: How a 'historical quirk' could see motorway services plan on A1 allowed to happen

An officer’s report to the meeting has recommended approval of the plans which would see the creation of a service station building, a 100-bedroom hotel, two drive thru restaurants, a fuel filling station, convenience shop and HGV overnight parking off junction 52.

Overall, the proposed development would create 8,912 square metres of restaurant and cafe floorspace.

But today’s meeting has been postponed at the eleventh hour, with a council spokesman saying it is due to additional information being raised that needs further consideration.

He said: “The meeting has been cancelled to allow officers time to consider additional information that has been raised.

“The meeting will be rescheduled for early in the new year.”

The scheme has taken several years to reach committee stage due to concerns over flooding, non-motorised access for local workers and the acknowledged ecological harm it will cause at the 11-hectare former sand quarry beside Catterick Racecourse.

Its supporters include the Road Haulage Association who say there is an urgent need for secure HGV facilities with amenities, and highlighted the ongoing concerns about overnight parking in residential areas of nearby Colburn.

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