First images released for £50m 'New Concept' Motorway Service Area at M1 J45 Leeds

The £50m MSA project has been designed with a timber framed Facilities Building, over which sections of wooden panelling and green living roof will tie the design into the local landscape. The sweeping Architecture also includes sections of high-level glazing to create a bright and comfortable spacious interior. An upper floor viewing deck and visitor centre for Skelton Lake is also included within the innovative design, as produced by Leeds-based Architecture 519 and Extra's predominantly locally based Project Team.

The attractive images will be officially unveiled at this week's MIPIM 2016 event in Cannes, which Extra is attending as part of Leeds City Region's largest delegation to date. Representatives from Extra will be available throughout MIPIM and the images will be visible on the Leeds City Region stand R7.B10.

Andrew Long, Chief Executive Officer of Extra MSA Group, said: "Leeds Skelton Lake Services will change perceptions of how an MSA can look and operate to commercial requirements within the surrounding landscape and provide high quality facilities for an excellent customer experience. This is a truly unique development at an important Gateway site into Leeds, complementary to the adjacent Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone, benefitting the Aire Valley Corridor and the wider Communities of East Leeds. Extra is excited to be unveiling these new images at MIPIM, as part of our support for the Leeds City Region."

Roger Marsh, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), added; "I'm delighted that Extra is attending MIPIM as part of the Leeds City Region delegation. The firm's proposed investment in the region would not only bring a state of the art Motorway Service Area that would help with national road safety but also creates over 400 new job opportunities during its construction, over 300 permanent full time equivalent jobs once operational and supports the development of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone which sits just across the M1 from the proposed site.

"These first images of the scheme are a long way from the Motorway Service Areas of the past, which featured dingy concrete designs. This investment by Extra shows how confidence in the City Region is high and together myself and colleagues from Extra MSA Group will be highlighting the market buoyancy and the scale of the opportunity that exists across the UK's largest City Region economy outside of London and the South East."

The images for Leeds Skelton Lake Services are now also available to view on the project website www.leedsskeltonlakeservices.co.uk

Extra MSA Group is currently preparing its Planning Application for the new £50m facility, which will significantly improve road safety for this section of the Motorway Network in accordance with National Policy. The proposals include an attractive Food Court style Facilities Building, comprising a wide range of popular and high quality food and ancillary retail outlets, together with a Business Centre, Hotel and Filling Station, as well as a host of other complementary facilities.

Discussions are already underway with local employment advisors to ensure recruitment for the 300 full time equivalent new jobs and 400 construction job opportunities is focused on the local area. Extra MSA Group are also planning to include an Apprenticeship Scheme in partnership with the Region's Schools and Colleges, as well as inviting local views on how best to optimise the use of the proposed Visitor Centre and Community facilities.