John Prescott is to rule on plans to destroy acres of green belt land in the Meriden Gap to make way for a motorway service station.
 The Deputy Prime Minister will have the last word on the proposals which local residents have campaigned against for more than two years. The service station, between junctions five and six on the M42, will take up 65 acres of green belt land which currently includes an ancient woodland and a Grade ll listed farmhouse. Campaigners warned that the service station would be sited at the foot of Birmingham International Airport's planned second runway, which received approval from the Department for Transport last year. Meriden MP Caroline Spelman (Con) said: "This has got to be a clear safety risk. It is hard to imagine a less suitable location for a motorway service station." Opponents also say they are concerned about the steady erosion of the green belt. And they warn that the service station will lead to further congestion along that section of the M42. Approval for the service station was delayed while developers Blue Boar negotiated with the Highways Agency over the provision of auxiliary lanes for traffic, and the future of the listed farmhouse. But the agency has now given the go ahead, and the final decision lies with Mr Prescott. A public inquiry ruled in Blue Boar's favour in March 2001. But Mr Prescott is expected to consider the implications of developments since then, including the planned runway. He could also consider the impact of the Active Traffic Management scheme now operating on the M42, which means vehicles use the hard shoulder in busy periods. A spokeswoman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said: "A final decision will need to take account of all relevant material considerations, including any outstanding listed building issues . . . and any new circumstances that may have arisen." Mrs Spelman said: "I will be making strong representations to all the relevant departments making it very clear that we do not want this development." Catherine de Barnes resident Maggie Throup, who has helped organise the campaign against the proposal, said: "This is the wrong place for a service station." | 
