Green light for final designs of £60m motorway services scheme
Leeds City Council has approved the detailed designs for a ‘new concept’ £60m Motorway Service Area (MSA) at Junction 45 of the M1, next to the Enterprise Zone in Leeds.
Planning bosses recommended that a reserved matters application be approved, giving the final ‘green light’ to investor and operator Extra MSA Group to start construction works on the development, called Leeds Skelton Lake Services.
The contractor for the enabling works is expected to be announced and on-site by mid-April.
The new MSA is due to open during Summer 2019 and aims to improve road safety within the section of the motorway network between the existing MSAs at M62 Hartshead Moor, M1 Woolley Edge and A1M Wetherby.
The site is located at the gateway to the Leeds Enterprise Zone and Extra’s investment in the Leeds City Region will create over 700 job opportunities throughout its construction and operation.
Extra’s proposals include a food court facilities building which will offer food and ancillary retail outlets, together with a business centre, filling station and 100-room hotel.
By improving footpath and cycle connectivity to and around Skelton Lake, the development will also form part of a ‘Green Corridor’ linking the Grade 1 listed Temple Newsam House and Parklands to the north of the MSA, with Rothwell Country Park.
Andrew Long, CEO of Extra MSA Group, said: “We are pleased to receive final approval from Leeds City Council Plans Panel and are looking forward to commencing construction works on site as soon as reasonably possible in April.
“We are committed to this £60m investment in the Region’s Motorway Network, which will improve road safety, create some 300 hundred FTE permanent new jobs and provide an important strategic ‘Gateway’ development to showcase Leeds and the wider City Region. With a first-class design and a range of significant economic, social and environmental benefits, Leeds Skelton Lake Services will set a new standard for Motorway Service Areas in the UK.”
