 A campaign group, Kirby Hill RAMS (Residents Against Motorway Services) opposed the development.Led by its Chairman, Gareth Owens, RAMS succeeded in opposing the plans at when they came before Harrogate Borough Council's Planning Committee and at three major public inquiries when the developer appealed.On 16 October 2012 the then Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, formally rejected the plan after the third public inquiry.