Plans have emerged for a modern service station off the A34.
Applicant Niaz Muhammed has submitted a scheme for the development of Family Farm House just off the A34 near Weston-on-the-Green.
The plans include a new entry and exit slip road adjoining the A34, parking area for cars and HGVs, the service station's main building EV charging station, solar PV array, battery storage facility and landscaping.
So far, no members of the public have submitted comments in support or objection.
According to the planning documents, submitted to Cherwell District Council, it will include spaces for 115 cars, including 12 disabled bays, with each space offering EV charging facilities.
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The documents said: “The provision of a purpose built and dedicated ‘park and charge’ facility would align with national and global efforts to drive down carbon emissions.
“The proposal of a rest stop and vehicle refuelling is commensurate with the prevailing site context and established use classes adjacent and opposite the site.
“The re-classification of poor-quality green-belt land, now termed grey belt, is a driving force for sustainable and appropriate development in these locations, alleviating pressures to develop high quality green-belt land.
“The main amenity building is designed as a linear, low-slung building, formed from natural materials and punctuated at its centre by a feature tree which serves to create a focal point to draw visitors to the building’s atrium and principal entrance.
“The building and amenity provisions are set out in identical ‘wings’ either side of the atrium core, and have been designed to accommodate food halls, retail kiosks and hot drink servery within a singular open-plan space, alongside restroom facilities and back of house accommodation for retail and food serving offerings, which are weighted towards the rear of the plan.”
The documents added: “There is a clear and demonstratable and unmet need for this type of development, and the unique setting of the site, as established previously, is defined as being sustainable for the proposed use.
“The unique siting and proximity of the site to the M40 and A34 junction makes the it wholly appropriate for the provision of a large scale and dedicated EV charging station, and will support the UK’s transition from traditional fossil fuel automobiles to fully electrical vehicles.
“Supporting the creation of green infrastructure, using low carbon, energy positive technology is a core aspect of Oxfordshire County Council's commitment to be carbon neutral as an authority by 2030, and will assist the country to go zero-carbon by 2050.”
