The local parish council wanted the site just to be called 'Birchanger'.

[2] The site should have opened in March 1993, as for 16 years there had been no services on the motorway.

Forte stopped planning work in 1992, and resumed in November 1993.

[4] The official opening was on Friday 28 April 1995 by the local MP Alan Haselhurst.

The consulting engineer Marks, Heeley and Brothwell of Bishop Stortford.