A plan to build a motorway service station along the M42 has moved a step closer to reality.

Applicant Extra MSA Group originally applied to build the services next to J5 of the M42 on land located on Solihull Road, between Catherine-de-Barnes and Hampton-in-Arden, in 2015. 

The applicant's plan, which also included a hotel, was given a major blow in 2021 when Solihull Council planners refused it.

But Extra MSA was successful in an appeal to the planning inspectorate in 2022.

The applicant beat off competition from Applegreen which had brought forward a similar scheme that would have been situated close to J4 on land adjacent to Box Trees Farm, Hockley Heath. 

The two proposals were considered at a single government planning inquiry overseen by planning inspector Michael Boniface.

The inspector said both schemes would cause harm to the green belt but ultimately ruled Extra MSA's plans would be less harmful.

"Whilst both schemes would provide a significant benefit, the location of (MSA's) site is preferable in that it would fill more of the gaps in provision and provide a marginally greater level of safety and welfare benefits to the travelling public as a result," the inspector said. 

Now the applicant has applied to Solihull Council to sign off preparatory conditions which feature in the planning permission agreement to allow construction work to begin.

An application to formally 'discharge' conditions eight (highways) and 24 (drainage) was submitted to the authority on April 4.

A consultation is underway with a closing date for submissions of May 8.