Basingstoke

Road: M3 at J6
Location: Black Dam, Basingstoke, Hampshire
Authority: Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
References: 17/03487/FUL, 25/00754/OUT
Developer: Moto
Year initiated: 2016

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This page is about the service area currently planned at Black Dam. For other services on the M3, see Services on the M3. For other services once planned in the Basingstoke area, see History:M3.

Basingstoke services is a project currently being developed by Moto, first brought to public attention in 2016. It will be accessed from the roundabout at M3 J6, where more traffic lights will be added, and a new dual carriageway will serve the development.

Moto relaunched their proposal in March 2025. They are now proposing a building similar to that of Rugby, likely to have an entrance at one end and a long walk past 10 units through to the toilets at the far end. There will be outdoor seating on both sides, an overhanging roof and space for outdoor concessions, plus a picnic area next to the building.

Parking would be provided for 587 cars, 24 motorcycles, 105 HGVs, 17 caravans, 10 coaches and 1 abnormal load. These figures include 78 electric vehicle charging points and 8 eHGV charging points. Moto estimate 200 jobs would be created.

Many residents have raised concerns about the environmental impact of the service area, its impact on traffic, and whether there's actually any need for it. The MP objected, and Basingstoke Transition Network has stated it would contribute to climate change by increasing traffic on the ring road. Current regulations don't require a new service area to prove that it is needed, it just needs the operator to deem it to be commercially viable.

There has been no suggestion that National Highways would relinquish the motorway regulations on the road to Black Dam, creating the unusual situation where a place is surrounded by motorway regulations despite being accessible without touching the mainline of a motorway. Maidstone is another example.

Planning Context

See also: M3 Planning Applications

The M3 originally had space allocated for a service area nearby at Kempshott. This didn't happen, and the need for it was some what weakened by the opening of facilities at Winchester and Popham/Micheldever. Even so, the gap between motorway service areas is 25 miles, significantly higher than the 14 mile maximum limit between HGV parking that the new motorway rules require. Nearby facilities are also struggling to accommodate the demand for HGV parking.

Moto's predecessor were unsuccessful in building a service area at nearby M3 J7 in 1995. Interest was renewed when Applegreen, who were keen to find an entry into the market, proposed building one half of Kempshott services in 2016. This was also unsuccessful, but it was soon followed by Moto planning a much larger service area at M3 J6.

Moto's original proposal was launched in 2016 with a building design similar to that of the rebuilt Cherwell Valley. They named Greggs, M&S, WHSmith, Burger King, Arlo's and two Costas as the likely brands to be included, as well as four more retail units and one more food unit. There would also have been a separate drive thru Costa with seating, a petrol station, a hotel and a dog walking area. There would have been a small staff area on the first floor.

In their application, Moto say that they examined all the land available, but that the M3's junctions were mostly too close together to build a service area between them; they acknowledged that the Kempshott land is available on the southbound side, but there is no suitable location on the northbound side. They say the land from the past M3 J7 proposal wasn't considered because it now has planning permission for industrial use. This left M3 J6 as the only suitable location.

Eight years after this was brought to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, they still had not made a decision on it. By this stage, Moto's design was outdated. They had since opened two more motorway service areas, and launched a new design for Basingstoke which was based on their experience of the other two. More electric vehicle charging points were added, while the hotel and drive thru were removed, with Moto being able to argue they were focusing on what is strictly necessary.

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