Photo: Moto (image shows a map of the original planning proposal)

Moto attempts to resurrect plans for 100-space lorry park in Kent

Motorway services operator Moto appears to be trying to resurrect its plan for a 200-space HGV park that was rejected by Kent councillors last spring.

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According to Kent Online, Moto is in the process of re-submitting a planning application for a lorry park, amenity building, and fuelling station at junction 2A of the M26 in Wrotham.

Last April, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Leader Matt Boughton thanked his fellow councillors after planning permission for a 200-space Kent HGV parking area was rejected. Among the reasons for shelving the plan were “a significant adverse loss of spatial and visual openness” and encroachment into the countryside.

Moto’s plans for a service station and lorry park received 19 official objection comments from local residents and councillors in autumn 2021. According to the official planning statement, the site of the proposed facility is within metropolitan green belt. However, it is not in an area of outstanding natural beauty or in a conservation area.

In support of the plans, those behind the construction of the truck stop had provided evidence backing up the argument that additional lorry parking is badly needed in the area.

As we reported back in November 2021, objection statements attached to the planning application showed some residents proposed the lorry park be built at Blue Bell Hill instead. Others simply said that the proposed location was unsuitable. Generally speaking though, most of the objection comments contained all-too-familiar claims about a truck stop creating excess traffic, noise, pollution and mess.

Kent Online reports that the new proposal is to “provide purpose built high-quality amenity building design, and access via a new roundabout and junction”.

Whether this will be enough to appease Councillors and local residents nonetheless remains to be seen.

Tonbridge Conservative Patrick Lohlein, Candidate for Borough Green, has already criticised the plan on Twitter:

“While I recognise that there is a real need for more lorry parking in Kent, I believe that facilities should be built where there is demand for them – in East Kent. The idea of making lorries drive one hour away to find somewhere to park is just ridiculous,” tweeted Lohlein.