PLANS have been lodged to extend an amenity building at a Hampshire service station.

The plans have been submitted to Test Valley Borough by Roadchef Motorways Limited to extent the amenity building at Rownhams East Motorway Service Area at the M27 Eastbound service road in Rownhams.

The plans state that the proposed development will require the employment of 20 full time members of staff.

Currently the internal floor space of the building measures at 580 square meters.

If given the plans are given the green light the floor space will measure at 707 square meters.

Councillor Nick Adams-King who is the planning portfolio holder for Test Valley Borough Council said: “This is fantastic news.

“Anything that produces more employees for local people in our area is a good thing.

“Previously the service stations on this stretch of motorway were looking dated and tired so it’s a good thing plans are being put in to upgrade the amenity building.”

Test Valley Borough Council validated the application on April 30, a decision on whether the plans are to go ahead are yet to have been decided.

In response to a consultation Beeta Ginn, assistant spatial planning manager from Highways England said: “Having examined the above application we do not offer any planning objections to this proposal.”

The news comes after planning permission was given for the construction Costa drive through in in 2015 at the service area.