INITIAL plans for the ‘reconfiguration’ and ‘extension’ of Tebay’s award-winning motorway services have taken a step forward.

Westmorland and Furness Council has determined environmental impact assessments (EIAs) are not required for the proposed redevelopment of Tebay’s northbound and southbound services.

A report by planning officers says the proposed northbound development will only have ‘marginally greater impacts’ on the environment than the existing service station.

On the proposed southbound development, the report states: “The proposal could impact on the habitat of nesting birds. However, the land does not have any specific designation in terms of environmental sensitivity.

“Detailed consideration of ecology, biodiversity, and visual impacts will be considered through the application following wide-ranging consultation.”

The council also decided an EIA was not required for applicant Westmorland Family Group Ltd’s application for the construction of a solar farm of up to 1.25 MW to support the ‘increasing electrical need’ of the service station.

Planning documents say the proposed development will ‘improve operation and experience’ at the service station.

According to the environmental impact assessment screening report, the proposals at Tebay Southbound services are likely to include providing 95 more car parking spaces with 16 additional heavy good vehicles (HGV) spaces.

Plans also include a drive through facility at the existing petrol station and extending the existing facilities building by 300 square metres.

At the northbound services, the proposed development is likely to include demolishing and replacing a section of the existing facilities building with the total size of the building increasing by 1,000 square metres.

Plans add the existing pavilion dining areas, which provide views of the duck pond, will be retained.

The proposals also include increasing the number of car parking spaces by 30, with three additional HGV spaces.

According to planning documents there could be up to 690 parking spaces in total at the northbound and southbound services, of which 125 are earmarked for future electric vehicle provision.

The proposed 2.4-hectare solar farm will consist of two separate parcels of land, one north of the existing northbound services, with the other southeast of the existing northbound services.

Planning documents state the proposed solar farm would provide energy to support the ‘growing demand’ for electric vehicle charging. It adds the proposed development would not export energy back to the national grid.

Westmorland and Furness Council determined EIAs were not required for the three applications on November 25.