§ 1. Mr. John Wellsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he intends taking to maintain local amenities when motorway service areas are sited in areas of outstanding natural beauty.
§ The Minister for Local Government and Development (Mr. Graham Page)It is the practice of my Department to ensure that new motorway service areas meet exacting design standards and blend harmoniously with their surroundings: special attention is paid to landscaping. The development is undertaken in close consultation with the local planning authority.
§ Mr. WellsIs my right hon. Friend aware of the grave anxiety in the village of Detling and the neighbourhood of Maidstone about a large proposed service area in that village, on the new M20? Is he further aware that 60 acres appear to be taken up for this, whereas the largest existing service area is 20 acres? 392 Is it not possible to give particular attention to this matter, as this will be one of the approaches to Great Britain when we are in the Common Market and when the Channel Tunnel is built?
§ Mr. PageYes, Sir. I am indeed aware of the anxiety there, but it is unjustified. We are taking 65 acres of Honeyhills Wood for the very purpose of ensuring tree coverage of the motorway service area. At least half the site will remain wooded. The formal submission to the local planning authority undertook to ensure a belt of trees 50 yards thick round the site, restriction on the height of buildings and lighting columns, and no vehicular access from the local roads.