Proposals by Welcome Break to construct a new services on the A303 to the north-west of Yeovil are facing complaints that the development would negatively impact a nearby independent picnic area and café.
Welcome Break is seeking to build a new Trunk Road Service Area featuring a filling station with five pump islands, a 10,000sq ft amenity building with a convenience store and washrooms, a drive-through restaurant and separate drive-through coffee shop, 24 EV charging bays plus and parking for 145 cars, plus and for HGVs, coaches and caravans.
The land for the proposed development is just a stone’s throw from the independently owned Cartgate Lodge Cafe and picnic area, though, and the business’ owners have said they feel “threatened” by the plans.
The café’s manager, Adam Thurgood, told the BBC: “This is a David-and-Goliath situation. It is not needed.”
Thurgood added that the cafe serves locally sourced food and employs 12 longstanding members of staff, and that customers “know our names when they come in”.
ADS Design told the BBC on behalf of Welcome Break: “The proposed services will positively promote the area and provide a safe and comfortable refuge to visiting motorists.”
