PLANS are in the pipeline for a major expansion of the Lymm Poplar Truck Stop, almost doubling the number of car parking spaces along with increased parking for HGVs.
The proposals involve increasing the number of car parking spaces from 314 to 608, including an additional 30 spaces for staff members, while the number of HGVs would increase from 305 to 368.
Milton Keynes-based Smith Jenkins Planning & Heritage has submitted a screening process application for an Environmental Impact Assessment to Warrington Borough Council seeking to determine whether the planning development is appropriate or not for the area.
Current proposals comprise an extension to Lymm Poplar 2000 Services on Cliffe Lane, Lymm, to provide additional HGV parking with associated re-configuration of the parking areas and HGV fuel station, extension to the amenity building and part change of use to the motorway service area, to provide signage of the Site from the M56 motorway.
Most of the proposed development involves the reconfiguration of the existing Site. However, to accommodate the proposed extension to the parking facilities the scheme would seek to incorporate the trees and undeveloped field situated to the north-east. This area would be utilised for additional HGV parking.
In terms of other aspects of the development, the extension to the amenity building would project off the south-east facing elevation, increasing the overall size of the building from 3,100 sqm to 3,770 sqm. As alluded to above, the various other alterations to the parking arrangements and pedestrian/vehicle access routes throughout the Site would involve the reconfiguration of the existing areas of hardstanding within the Site.
The applicants state the proposed development is not a ‘destination’ development in itself but would be used by traffic already using the SRN, including the M6/M56. Therefore, it is not anticipated that there would be a significant increase in vehicle numbers and flows on the SRN and adjoining roads once the proposed development has been completed. In addition, whilst there will be additional vehicular movements to/from the M6/M56 and the associated slip roads, given the existing use of the Site the impact of the development in this regard is considered to be minor. The Site is already signed from the M56 and M6 motorways.
During the construction phase, some additional vehicle movements would be generated. The temporary traffic generated during the construction phase is not likely to be perceptible in terms of the existing flows on the M6/M56. It is not anticipated that construction traffic would result in increased delays on the SRN or increase road safety concerns on local roads. Furthermore, there is an existing baseline of HGV movements on-site associated with its exiting use.
It is considered that the proposed development would be generally beneficial with regards to socioeconomic impacts, providing both short-term jobs at the construction phase and longer-term permanent jobs during the operational phase.
Warrington Borough Council planners will consider the screening application.
