New motorway services area on the M25

Concept layout for a new motorway services area on the M25 at Navestock, Essex, prepared for the landowner on the southwest side of the motorway, who had the idea of an EV charging service station there. It was clear to us that such a facility would nicely fill the very long gap between existing motorway services on the M25 and M1 north of Thurrock. We worked up the idea into a practical scheme for a comprehensive MSA facility on this challenging and constrained land parcel, and had constructive liaison with National Highways, giving our client the assurance that the scheme was feasible.

Subsequently it transpired that the landowner on the opposite side of the motorway, the Church Commissioners, were also interested, giving the opportunity for a much larger facility including a large lorry park and possibly an inland Customs Clearance facility for freight to/ from the Continent, and with direct access to and from both motorway carriageways. We therefore worked up the scheme into the much more expansive concept layout illustrated here.

On the strength of that concept layout, our client attracted interest from motorway services developer and operator Welcome Break, who have bought the site and have secured an even larger land parcel on the northeast side of the motorway, enabling them to produce a scheme for a comprehensive MSA on that side of the motorway with full access from both sides and setting aside the rest of our clients former land to be laid out as Biodiversity open space for public benefit. Welcome Break are currently engaged in public consultation before applying for planning permission.