Plans submitted for job-creating service station

A new service station with the potential to create 100 jobs could be built off the A1 in West Yorkshire if newly submitted plans get the go-ahead.Welcome Break Services, supported by Axis, has submitted an outline planning application to Wakefield Council for development on green belt land to the east of the A1 (Southbound) at Darrington, near Pontefract.Planning permission is sought to redevelopment an existing fuel filling station and a parcel of surrounding land.The proposed Darrington Trunk Road Service Area would comprise a 12,400 sq ft amenity building with hot and cold food offers, a shop, fuel counter and full welfare facilities.A separate drive-thru coffee shop would also be createdThe plans include parking for 138 cars (six accessibility spaces), 58 HGVs, five coaches, two caravans, ten motorcycles and one abnormal load vehicle, as well as ten electric vehicle charging bays. Separate car and HGV fuelling areas would be provided.An existing metal footbridge spanning the A1 would be demolished.It has been estimated that the development would create about 100 jobs (full-time equivalent).It added that the “economic benefits of the proposal should be afforded substantial positive weight”.The existing BP-brand filling station is owned by Applegreen, the majority shareholder in Welcome Break, and also incorporates a Costa Express.Applegreen has more than 472 service stations, employing 10,700 people across the UK, Ireland and the US.