HOW Planning LLP

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Planning Portal Ref. PP-04385630

Our Ref: DB/1420 11th August 2015

Head of Development Management

Development Management (Planning)
Sedgemoor District Council
Bridgwater House
King Square
Bridgwater
Somerset
TA6 3AR

Dear Sir / Madam,

PLANNING PORTAL LOCAL AUTHORITY REFERENCE PP-04385630

EXTENSION TO MOTORWAY SERVICE AREA AMENITY BUILDING AND ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS
SEDGEMOOR MOTORWAY SERVICE AREA, M5 SOUTHBOUND, ROOKSBRIDGE, AXBRIDGE,
SOMERSET, BS26 2UF

Introduction

I write in regard to planning application reference PP-04385630 which was submitted to Sedgemoor District
Council (‘Sedgemoor DC’) via the Planning Portal on 11th August 2015. In accordance with the on-line
submission requirements, please find enclosed a cheque for the sum of £7,700.00 made payable to
Sedgemoor District Council to cover the planning application fee. All other supporting information has been
submitted via the Planning Portal.

The planning application, submitted on behalf of our clients Roadchef Motorways Limited (‘Roadchef’),
seeks ‘full’ planning permission for the extension and refurbishment of the existing amenity building at
Roadchef’s Sedgemoor Motorway Service Area (between Junctions 21 and 22 of the M5 southbound)
alongside a number of relatively minor associated site works, including the realignment of some existing car
parking spaces, changes to pedestrian circulation space, and a new internal servicing access road.

Submission Materials

The application submission made via the Planning Portal on 11th August 2015 comprises the following:

Cheques, Forms and Correspondence

 A Planning Application Form and Ownership Certificate (Certificate A);
 Cheque of £7,700.00 to cover the application fee; and a,
 Covering Letter.

Planning and Environmental Advisers

Partners: Associates: HOW Planning LLP

Gary Halman BSc FRICS MRTPI
Richard Woodford BA (Hons) BSc BTP MRICS MRTPI
Jon Suckley MTCP (Hons) MRTPI
Richard Barton BSc (Hons) MA MRTPI
Fiona Woodford
Julie Halman
Daniel Brown BA DipTP MRTPI Registered Office: 40 Peter Street, Manchester M2 5GP
Keith Jones BA (Hons) MSc MRTPI Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: OC318465
Chris Peacock BSc MA CEnv MIEMA HOW Planning LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership
Conor Vallelly MTCP MRTPI Any reference to Partner means a member of HOW Planning LLP
 Reports
 Planning Statement and Design and Access Statement (contained within a single document)
prepared by HOW Planning LLP.

Plans / Drawings
 A Site Location Plan and Existing Layout (Ref. RC465-106);
 An Existing Amenity Building Layout Plan (Ref. RC465-100);
 An Existing Amenity Building Elevation Drawing (Ref. RC465-101);
 A Proposed Amenity Building Layout Plan (Ref. RC465-102);
 A Proposed Amenity Building Elevation Drawing (Ref. RC465-103);
 An Existing Amenity Building Roof Plan (Ref. RC465-104);
 An Proposed Amenity Building Roof Plan (Ref. RC465-105);
 An Existing Site Layout Plan (Ref. 215220-100); and,
 A Proposed Site Layout Plan (ref. 215220-02).

We trust that the above information is sufficient to enable Sedgemoor DC to validate and determine the
submitted Planning Application. A brief background to the proposal is set out below.

Summary of Proposals

Roadchef operates 30 MSAs across the UK, employing some 3,200 people, and catering for over 44 million
customer visits per annum – a figure which is increasing year-on-year. In light of the greater demands being
placed on their MSAs, Roadchef is embarking on a major investment programme across its UK portfolio and
Maidstone MSA is one of the business’ priority sites for improvement.

The facility opened in 1986 and whilst it has been subject to a number of relatively minor extensions over
the years it appears largely as it did some 30 years ago. In contrast to these limited improvements
Department for Transport traffic count data for the stretch of the M5 closest to the MSA shows that the Annual
Average Daily Flow of all vehicles has increased by some 12,700 per day or 25% in the 14 years between
2000 and 2014. This represents clear evidence that whilst daily consumer demand has increased
dramatically the quantitative offer of the MSA’s amenity building has remained largely the same.

Encouraging drivers to take regular breaks is the Government’s primary objective for MSAs but if a facility
doesn’t meet modern consumer expectations they are unlikely to stop – increasing the potential for
accidents. Accordingly, a significant financial investment is proposed to extend and refurbish the amenity
building in order to ensure that it continues to successfully fulfil its role on the motorway network for many
years to come.

This planning application submission demonstrates that the proposals meet the requirements of those
policies contained within the Sedgemoor Core Strategy relating to development in the countryside, flood
risk, tourism, economic prosperity, design, layout, landscape, residential amenity, transportation, and main
town centre uses; as well as the relevant, corresponding policies contained within the NPPF. It can also be
confirmed that no CIL charge is applicable to the scale and form of development proposed based on the
District’s CIL charging schedule.

Furthermore, it has been shown that the application proposals will deliver some important benefits which
weigh in favour of the scheme, not least addressing a longstanding operational deficiency at the MSA
through the extension of the facility’s amenity building and thus making this a more attractive stopping point
for M5 users. This will be of particular benefit to Sedgemoor’s tourist economy. The application proposals

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are therefore acceptable in planning terms and it is respectfully requested that planning permission is
granted.

Summary

I trust that this information has reached you and is sufficient to enable you to determine this planning
application. However, if you require any further details, please do not hesitate to contact me. In the
meantime, I await your receipt for the planning application fee and confirmation of registration, and I shall
contact you in the near future to discuss the timescale and means of determining the application.

Yours sincerely,

DANIEL BROWN
ASSOCIATE
Direct Line: 0161 831 5871
Email: daniel.brown@howplanning.com