Fareham Borough Council’s planning committee unanimously approved the Electric J11 scheme on Wednesday, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The development will be built on land north of M27 junction 11, on the edge of Fareham, and will include a public EV charging forecourt, HGV parking facilities and storage land connected to port operations.
The site is currently open countryside on the side of Portsdown Hill and is being used as a highway depot and for aggregate recycling. Planning officers acknowledged that the scheme would conflict with countryside policies and harm the landscape, but concluded that the public benefits outweighed those concerns.
According to the report presented to councillors, the project would provide infrastructure for lorry parking, improved facilities for HGV drivers, additional space for Portsmouth International Port and a large EV charging hub. Officers said the plans put forward by Electric J11 “provide infrastructure that meets an overriding public need”.
The decision comes amid wider concerns about the shortage of suitable HGV parking on parts of the south coast. Motorway Services Online notes that government policy expects HGV parking to be available at regular intervals, while the gap on the M27 is around 22 miles. It also states that the Portsmouth area has previously been identified as lacking facilities for HGV drivers, particularly because the port has limited stacking space.
The scheme attracted both support and objections. One objector raised concerns about additional haulage traffic approaching the junction from Boarhunt Road, while Hampshire Chamber of Commerce representatives said the trailer park would benefit the region and support growth in Portsmouth.
A separate Welcome Break proposal for a motorway service area south of the same junction remains under consideration. That plan would include food and drink outlets, almost 550 parking spaces, a children’s play area and dog-walking zone. Planning officers warned councillors about the possible combined effect of the two schemes on the already busy junction, but said the Electric J11 application could be judged separately.
Before construction can begin, the developer must still submit detailed landscape and layout plans.
