A MODERN motorway services complex is to take shape at Barton lorry park, just off the A1 near Scotch Corner.

The development is to include a three-storey main block with restaurant, fast food, shop, toilets, games arcade and 40 bedrooms. There will also be a petrol station, picnic area, small police station, secure area for lorries and parking for 270 cars, 17 coaches and 90 wagons.

The area would be landscaped and roundabouts would be built to ensure good traffic flow.

The proposals by Chartergate Estates add detail to outline planning permission granted in 1997 and renewed in 1999.

A report by Mr Peter Featherstone, Richmondhisre council's development control team leader, to the planning committee on Tuesday said the 11-acre site had been partly used as a lorry park since the early 70s and was unobtrusive in the open countryside because of its sunken nature.

The proposals were acceptable under national and local planning policy and the highways authority was satisfied on access and road safety. Further details of layout, design and traffic flow must be approved before construction can begin.

The committee agreed delegated powers for Mr Patrick Earle, planning and development unit manager, to grant approval subject to these details being finalised.

The move is likely to bring to an end a five-year planning battle to redevelop the site. The council was criticised in 1996 for failing to determine an application for motorway services on the lorry park.

In January 1997, a government inspector ruled it was the best location for such a development after rival schemes at Catterick and Scotch Corner were withdrawn when plans to upgrade the A1 between Scotch Corner and Dishforth were abandoned by the government.

Barton Parish Council has asked for restrictions to ban lorries over 7.5 tonnes from travelling through the village.