Plans handed in for new M4 service station
Lewis Smith Local Democracy Reporter
Proposals to build a new motorway service station on the M4 have been submitted to a county borough council.
The plans from the Draycott Group are for a development on land off the M4, close to the Pyle interchange at Bridgend’s junction 37, with a potential new access road also built off the northern carriageway of the A4229.
If approved by council bosses, it could eventually see the development of a petrol station, electric vehicle charging points, and three drive-through restaurants.
These could include a McDonald’s, Starbucks and Greggs, along with associated seating areas and toilet facilities.
The plans also say these would occupy separate, individually designed buildings with dedicated parking facilities on the site.
Full application
The service area would be near to several large residential areas including the villages of North Cornelly, Pyle, and Kenfig Hill.
Plans add a total of 125 people could eventually be employed at the site, equating to 78 full-time equivalent jobs which are described as being “particularly attractive” to a younger age group.
The full application came after a formal pre-application which was carried out with the local planning authority in 2022, though this acknowledged the proposal “did not draw a positive response from the council”.
Concerns
The report said: “The council considered that further justification would be required to demonstrate that there was an ‘overriding need’ for this type of development in this specific countryside location.”
There were additional concerns the site could draw people away from the Porthcawl area, increasing car journeys, and becoming “destination in its own right”.
However, further planning justification by developers argued motorway-related developments are “inevitably located in countryside, away from town centres”, as they cannot be sited elsewhere by definition.
The closest service areas to the proposed Pyle site are at Sarn to the east and Swansea West to the west, with the two being about 25 miles apart.
Once up and running, the services would be open on a 24-hour basis and for 365 days a year.
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“These could include a McDonald’s, Starbucks and Greggs”. So a huge boost to Welsh businesses then…!!!!
Only about 5-6 miles west of Sarn. And on good quality land too if it’s where I think it is. More low paid jobs for young and old alike, what’s not to like ?
Can’t anyone in high office raise their sights above the employed/jobless figures and contrive to attract some buzzing interesting technologies or high added value activities that foster learning and career development. Or create some facilities for spin outs, start ups and small businesses with good growth prospects ? Or is it all about ” I can’t be bothered, but these developers lay on a nice lunch”
Why?
And then fill it with the usual rubbish outlets. This is awful. Unless there is a Gloucester option that will use local produce, this will be a mess. The Uk doesn’t do service stations, they do rip off merchants.
This is how it should be done.
https://gloucesterservices.com/
What is the point when Sarn is only 5 miles away?