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15
Feb 2021
Villagers battle weary as fourth inquiry into A1 service station starts
Residents in Kirby Hill have said plans for a motorway service station have been “a burden” on the village for the past 25 years.
Kirkby Hill Residents Against Motorway Services (RAMS) have campaigned against four applications on the site on the A1 northbound, which is just 500 yards from the village.
In a saga which has spanned a quarter of a century, the application has been before multiple council planning committees, faced three public inquiries and been turned down twice by the Secretary of State and the High Court.
Now, residents are set for a fourth public inquiry tomorrow after Applegreen, the latest developer to have submitted a proposal, has appealed against another rejection by Harrogate Borough Council.
Gareth Owens, chair of the RAMS since 2002, said the village is tired of fighting the proposals and expect them to come back every five years.
He said:
Mr Owens and his team will once again mobilise for the inquiry tomorrow.
Twenty-two residents will give evidence to the inquiry, which is being held online due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Read more:
Kirby Hill residents prepare to continue motorway services fight
Motorway services plan near Ripon rejected
- Two A1 service station appeals to be heard in New Year
Residents are expected to argue that there is no need for another service station on the A1 and that the development would do more harm than good.
In evidence due before the inquiry, they will say that the Secretary of State refused permission for the Kirby Hill site twice in favour of a station at Wetherby in 2003 and an upgrade to Leeming Bar in 2012. They will also say that the development is contrary to the newly adopted Harrogate district local plan.
While the last quarter of a century has been difficult for residents, Mr Owens said they are determined to see off another attempt to build on the site.
He said:
The Stray Ferret contacted Applegreen for comment, but did not receive a response by time of publication. The company said previously that it would not be appropriate to comment until the appeal had been heard.
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