THIS is one of Britain’s largest electric charging service stations, featuring everything from a farm shop to a cycling track.
The developers building the “green and organic” site say it is set to boost the country’s charging capacity for electric vehicles (EVs).
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The project, which received planning permission in March and is expected to open late next year, promises to be a far cry from the drab rest stops that are often found off the UK’s major roads.
It will be built on a six-acre plot on the A3 near Buriton, Hampshire, and will boast 120 EV charging points.
Facilities are set to include a cycling track, off-the-grid sustainable accommodation, a posh farm shop and a showroom where visitors can view the latest EV models.
The accommodation will be in the form of £200 a night eco-lodges, which will rely on solar power and biogas produced from compost and animal waste on nearby farms.
One of the leading developers, Barry Angel, told The Times: “Everything is completely green and organic.
“We’re going to have 60 eco-lodges, which are all off-grid.
“There will even be somewhere to rent e-bikes from.
He added that the new station will help EV owners with “range anxiety”, where motorists worry about a lack of charging capacity resulting in them running out of power mid-journey.
All that comes at an expected cost of a whopping £10 million at the lowest estimate.
However, the project was not without its opposition.
The development, which will be within the South Downs National Park, was initially denied planning permission but won out via an appeal.
Locals have also raised concerns about the biogas production taking up farming land which could otherwise be used for growing food.
Despite this, planning inspector Michael Boniface said: “The development has been designed to work with the site characteristics, maintaining and enhancing positive features such as the stream and boundary planting.”
He added that there were “clear and obvious advantages arising from the scheme in combating climate change“.
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