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

The plans which have been submitted to Test Valley Borough by Roadchef Motorways Limited.

The firms wants to extend 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 spuare meters.

If the plans are given the go ahead the total gross new internal proposed floorspace of the extension will measure at 707 square meters.

Beata Ginn, assistant spatial planning manager of Highways England stated that the highway organisation does “not offer any planning objections to this proposal”.

Councillor Nick Adams-King who is the planning portfolio holder for Test Valley Borough Council welcomed the new jobs.

He said: “This is fantastic news.

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

“Previously the service station on this stretch of road 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 received and validated the application on April 30.

However, a decision on whether the plans are to go ahead is yet to have been decided.

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