County council not backing Moto M25 services near Kings Langley

Earlier this year, applicants Moto submitted revised proposals to build a service station at junction 20 near Kings Langley.

The plans were amended in response to concerns raised by highways officers at the county council about what impact the development would have on local traffic.

This included creating extra space on the M25 roundabout as well as on the A41 and M25 approaches into the roundabout.

See more: Moto proposes changes at major roundabout as part of service station plan

Officers at the county council have scrutinised Moto's new proposals but have concluded that "insufficient" information has been provided that demonstrates the development proposals will not have a "severe impact" on the local road network, which is already a hotspot for congestion during rush hour.

The council says the service station will increase traffic on the A41 by 45 per cent during the morning peak, by 36 per cent in the afternoon peak, and by 86.5 per cent in the Saturday peak.

The M25/A41 roundabout at junction 20. Credit: Google Maps

The official consultation response also describes Moto's modelling of junction 20 as "not fit for purpose", fearing a "significant" increase in traffic coming off the M25 will "negatively impact" the A41 and A4251 Watford Road.

Hertfordshire County Council says the proposals also conflict with its own plans for a bus lane on the A41 near junction 20 as part of its South West Herts Growth and Transport Plan.

The scheme to build a service station complete with an 80-bed hotel, restaurants, drive-thru coffee unit, petrol station, and lorry park on greenbelt land is the most objected scheme in Three Rivers District Council's history, with more than 1,400 objections lodged.

CGI of Moto's M25 service station near junction 20

The Kings Langley & District Residents Association said on its 'Green Belt Matters' Facebook page: "We are relieved that Hertfordshire County Council has recommended refusal of the planning application for a motorway services area at J20 of the M25.

"Thank you to all of you who have commented on this application. The war is not over yet, but this is a positive step towards the application having final refusal."

It is unclear when the outline planning application will be determined by the district council's planning committee. Plans first came forward in 2018 with Moto stating there is an "identified need" for a motorway service on this corner of the M25.

The service station is proposed to be built on the area of land off the M25 within the red shape. Credit: Google Street View

Two rival schemes have yet to be decided as well.

Extra has submitted plans to build a motorway service station on a site off the M25 between junctions 16 and 17 in Buckinghamshire, while Welcome Break wants to build a motorway service station with a hotel on land owned by Buckinghamshire Council between the M40 and the M4.

Moto's planning application and Hertfordshire County Council's full consultation response can be found on Three Rivers District Council's planning portal.

The planning reference is 19/0646/OUT.