PLANS for a new service station on Junction 24 on the M5 have been removed from the Sedgemoor District Council as they were 'invalid'.

The proposals had been submitted in January on behalf of S Notaro Land Ltd and Euro Garages for a modern service station to the east of Junction 24 at Huntworth.

The plans had included a brand new amenity building with a unique roof terrace area accessed by an external walkway and would generate approximately 70 jobs.

However this week the application for the services has been removed from the planning section of the Sedgemoor District Council website.

A Sedgemoor District Council spokesman said: "It was an invalid application. We have asked for more documentation and once that has been submitted, it will be re-validated and will go back up on the website."

The plans for the new service station were met with criticism from a number of Huntworth residents, the Bridgwater Lawn Tennis Club, and rival development Bridgwater Gateway which recently objected to the traffic plan submitted.

The plans were submitted alongside a separate application for a large employment park, Notaro Park, the proposals for which include more than 850,000 sq ft of employment space which the developers say will provide hundreds of jobs in a number of new buildings.

Sedgemoor District Council's economic officer Vicky Banham had responded saying she was in favour of the development.

She commented: “We are pleased to see the emphasis on quality in the design as we believe it is important both for attracting the businesses we wish to see here and in projecting a positive image to those passing or entering the town.

“A distinctive, modern motorway service area and sensitive landscaping will give a positive impression of a District that welcomes visitors and values its setting.”

To view the employment park plans visit the SDC website and search application number 37/19/00004.