National Highways meeting held February 2022 with MSA developers
Case reference EIR2024/01070
Received 16 September 2024
Published 17 September 2025
Last amended 17 September 2025
Request
Information regarding NH contribution to a meeting held in February 2022 to which it invited MSA developers. The specific questions are included in the note uploaded.
Brentwood Borough Council have received a planning application by Moto Hospitality Ltd for a MSA on the M25. The application documents include numerous references to National Highways instigating the application by inviting MSA developers to a meeting in February 2022 and asking them to promote MSA's in the NE quadrant of the M25.
An extract from the Transport Assessment by Eddisons below is typical of what is said :-
1.1.6 National Highways called a meeting with the main Motorway Service Area operators in February 2022 to raise their concerns over highway safety on the northeast section of the M25 as a result of existing gaps in existing provision on this section of the Strategic Road Network (SRN), asking operators to help provide a safe place for drivers to rest whilst travelling on the SRN. This proposal responds directly to that request and the identified need for a Motorway Service Area in this location. Further details of this meeting are provided in the accompanying Planning Statement.
The Planning Statement does not give any further direct information.
As the meeting has been prayed in aid of the application and that is now the subject of public consultation, those of us who have an interest in the application would like more clarity on this meeting. I therefore request the following :-
1) A copy of the invitation or other communication that NH sent to MSA developers inviting them to the meeting in February 2022.
2) A copy of any presentation, speech or other introduction that was made by NH at the meeting or beforehand to explain why it was called and what NH were asking the invited attendees to do.
3) Any minutes or other record of the meeting.
4) Details of any further meetings or follow-up letters or communication sent by NH to those who attended the meeting.
5) Would you please confirm whether the meeting was called only to discuss the NE quadrant of the M25?
6) If so were any other similar meetings called to make similar requests of MSA developers in regard to other parts of the M25?
7) If there were other meetings or communications on the rest of the M25 please supply the same details as those requested in 1) to 4) above.
As the request is made during a time limited consultation period a prompt response would be appreciated. Given the publicity by Moto this information should be readily available.
Response
Information provided
1) A copy of the invitation or other communication that NH sent to MSA developers inviting them to the meeting in February 2022.
2) A copy of any presentation, speech or other introduction that was made by NH at the meeting or beforehand to explain why it was called and what NH were asking the invited attendees to do.
Please find attached:
· Lower Thames Crossing - Overview_Redacted.
· RSF South East study update May 21
Personal information has been withheld under Regulation 13 of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
Roadside facilities perform an important safety function by providing opportunities for the travelling public to stop and take a break during their journey. Government advice is that motorists should stop and take a break of at least 15 minutes every 2 hours.
We invited MSA operators to hear about the roadside facility South East Study. We sent the 'Lower Thames Crossing - Overview_Redacted' email to operators ahead of the meeting. The 'RSF South East study update May 21' slides were presented at the meeting.
Please note that we do not hold a copy of the invitation to the meeting.
Information not held
3) Any minutes or other record of the meeting.
4) Details of any further meetings or follow-up letters or communication sent by NH to those who attended the meeting.
5) Would you please confirm whether the meeting was called only to discuss the NE quadrant of the M25?
6) If so were any other similar meetings called to make similar requests of MSA developers in regard to other parts of the M25?
7) If there were other meetings or communications on the rest of the M25 please supply the same details as those requested in 1) to 4) above.
I can confirm that National Highways does not hold this information, and as such this part of your request has been refused under Regulation 12(4)(a) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 as information not held.
Advice and Assistance
We have completed the relevant searches for the information requested in questions 3 to 7. However we have not identified any information within scope of this part of your request.
You may find it helpful to know that National Highways is currently reviewing the live MOTO Hospitality MSA planning application. As a statutory consultee, we consider all documents provided in support of a planning application in accordance with the requirements set out by the National Planning Policy Framework.
Documents
This is National Highways' response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.
You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.