New plans revealed for motorway services at Catcliffe

Applegreen plc has announced details of a proposed new motorway service area at junction 33 of the M1 at Catcliffe and intends to present the project as a planning application later this year.

The company said its proposal would create some 300 new jobs for surrounding communities and make good use of a vacant site on either side of the M1, which already has planning permission for two hotels and a petrol filling station.

Details of the plans emerged barely a fortnight before Sheffield City Council will consider MSA Extra’s bid to build its own service area at Smithy Wood, just over the M1 from Thorpe Hesley.

Protesters are appealing to nature lovers to attend a peaceful demonstration outside Sheffield Town Hall tomorrow at 11.30am and lobby their local councillor to oppose the plans, which will be discussed by councillors on March 28.

But campaigners say the development will destroy a much-loved walking spot which provides a home for nature.

Outlining Applegreen’s plans, chief development director Eugene Moore said: “We are committed to creating new jobs for local people to boost local economies.

“Alongside that, we hope that there will be opportunities for increased business for local traders.

“Minimising our impact on the environment and the landscape is a priority for us and we will deliver this through great design.

“Our approach is to use new best practices to create service areas that are both welcoming, offer value and do not cause issues for our neighbours.”

The Applegreen scheme locates HGV parking and amenities to the north of the M1 with customer parking and amenities for other motorway users to the south of the M1, via an underpass.

Road improvements will increase traffic capacity on the existing junction 33 roundabout and as such there will be minimal traffic impact for local road users, the company said.

Consultation events on the plans are being held on Monday, March 20, and Tuesday, March 21, at The Thirsty Flame in Whitehill Lane, Brinsworth, from 3.30pm till 7.30pm.

More information about the project and the consultation events can be found at www.applegreenrotherham.info.