New services on A1 near Peterborough to replace sex shop

How the services might look when they are completed

Moto Hospitality is planning to invest more than £20 million in the construction of a service station at junction 15 on the northbound side of the A1M at Sawtry.

Plans for the new services were given the green light earlier this week.

A sex shop, currently on the site, is set to be demolished to make way for the new services.

Cllr Dick Tuplin, who represents Sawtry on Huntingdonshire District Council welcomed the plans.

He said: "Sawtry Parish Council welcomed the application from Moto to build a Motorway Service Area on the site of the derelict motel, and neighbouring small fields adjacent to the A1(M).

"Moto expect to invest £21 million in the development. Particularly welcome will be the creation of 121 Full Time Equivalent jobs.

"We used to have a Little Chef both on this side and on the opposite side of the A1 here, and a Happy Eater restaurant on the junction of the B660 and the A1, just a mile or so north, and there were several jobs for local people at these restaurants, as managers, or waiters, cleaners etc. When these facilities closed there was a considerable loss of employment.

"There may be some problems with HGV overnight parking, but it will be no worse than it is now, so we think the advantages of the proposed scheme far outweigh any disadvantages."

North West Cambridgeshire MP Shailesh Vara also welcomed the move.

He said; "“I welcome the news of planning permission being granted for a MOTO service station on the A1(M) in Sawtry.

"It has been a difficult year for the economy and the 120 jobs which are to be created will provide job opportunities for some of those recently lost.

"As well as providing opportunities for Sawtry and the wider local community, the service station will provide additional facilities for travellers on a busy stretch of the A1(M).”

The Peterborough Telegraph has contacted Moto Hospitality for comment.