PLANS for a new eco-friendly service station and hotel on a 12-acre site near Sturminster Marshall have been submitted.

The scheme, submitted on behalf of MB Wilkes Ltd, would see the services, including a battery storage facility, built on land at Hanbury Green off the A31, also serving the A35 and A350.

The scheme would create a new roundabout to the A31 and the Henbury Farm Industrial Estate.

Potentially featuring hydrogen fuel services, as well as electric chargers and a traditional filling station, the plans also outline proposals to create a ‘wetland and woodland habitat’.

The application says the services could cater for around 50 electric vehicle charging points, as well as a hydrogen charging facility and petrol and diesel fuelling.

Parking would also be created for an additional 50 other vehcles, plus 30 for cars towing trailers or caravans, motorhomes and coaches.

The site would also boast an amenities building, business centre and a hotel with between 50 and 100 beds.

“The amenities building will include fuel payment facilities, toilets, refreshment facilities and associated services, as well as suitable space for business travellers to access business facilities while waiting for their vehicles to be charged,” the application said.

It added: “A Travelodge-style motel is proposed to serve long-distance travellers.

“This, together with the service area, will provide the typical ‘transient’ amenities required by and associated with such a motel.”

How the layout of one section of the site could look. Picture: Richard Payne Architect/MB Wilkes Ltd/Dorset Council

Around 55 jobs would be created by the development, the application said.

“Existing, permitted and proposed facilities near Henbury Green on the A31/A35 or A350 network do not, cannot or will not provide the range of facilities required to meet the decarbonisation objective and the essential services for the travelling public,” it added.

“Henbury Green will provide those facilities.”

However, the plans have received critical feedback from some residents.

One wrote: “I object to green belt development. The last thing the A31 needs is another roundabout.

“This application just looks like gravel extraction by underhand means and the lorry traffic would be horrendous.”

Another said: “I don’t see the need for another service station on the A31 when there is already one so close, which already provides electric points for electric cars.

“Although I like the idea of wetlands for the environment, there is already a small lake in the opposing field providing habitat for wildlife.

“The A31 is a notoriously dangerous road with many fatal accidents every year. Putting another roundabout in would only cause more collisions, not lessen them.”

For more details, log on to www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and search for application reference P/OUT/2023/01890.