PLANS have been put forward to install 12 electric vehicle charging points in the car park of a motorway service station south of Carlisle near the M6. 

GRIDSERVE Sustainable Energy Ltd has filed an application for planning permission to construct the Electric Vehicle Charging Hub (EV Hub) at the Southwaite Motorway Services between Junctions 41 and 42 of the M6. 

GRIDSERVE plans to create the EV hub in two phases. Phase one will bring 6 charging bays including an oversized bay catering to users needing extra space to manoeuvre around their vehicle.

The subsequent phase 2 incorporates an additional 6 charging bays, including another oversized bay.  

The cover letter attached with the plans read: "The application seeks planning permission to construct an EV Hub with associated equipment within the main car park at the Southwaite Southbound Motorway Service Station.

"The development will help support the local and national objectives of encouraging sustainable modes of transport while making a significant contribution to GRIDSERVE’s mission to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions as quickly as possible and address climate change.

"The provision of an EV Hub in this location is fully in conformity with national and local planning policies and the proposal should, therefore, be supported by the Council and be approved without delay," it reads.