Transport minister Huw Merriman has granted a development consent order (DCO) for a scheme to widen the A12 to three lanes between Hatfield Peverel (J20a) and Marks Tey (J25).
The decision, which was delegated to the minister by transport secretary Mark Harper, was made in line with a recommendation made by examining authority the Planning Inspectorate.
The stretch of the A12 in question stretches for 25km and passes through the villages of Hatfield Peverel, Rivenhall End, Kelvedon, Inworth, Feering, Marks Tey, and Copford as well as the town of Witham. It falls within the administrative boundaries of Essex County Council, Chelmsford City Council, Braintree District Council, Maldon District Council, and Colchester Borough Council.
The National Highways application also sought consent for:
A new three-lane bypass at Rivenhall End (J22 to J23);
A bypass between J24 to J25;
Improvements to J19 and J25;
Three new junctions (J21, J22, J24) constructed to replace the existing J20a, J20b and J23;
New and improved walking, cycling and horse-riding routes
The diversion of a high-pressure gas pipeline, operated by Cadent Gas Limited – a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project in itself.
Since it was accepted for examination in September 2022, the applicant has requested to make six design changes, which were the result of various factors including stakeholder feedback. Both the minister and the Planning Inspectorate agreed that the changes should be allowed “because, individually and cumulatively, they are not so substantial that they would constitute a materially different project”.
The proposed changes are:
Re-design of the proposed northbound on-slip road at J19.
The exclusion of the proposed Anglian Water pumping station from land proposed for compulsory acquisition at Hatfield Peverel.
Changes to the provision of proposed replacement land at Whetmead, plus additional consequential changes to reflect a change of ownership for open space in the Witham area that occurred after the submission of the DCO application.
Changes to the proposed drainage works associated with proposed works along the B1023 Kelvedon Road at Inworth.
Removal of the proposed segregated left turn lane at proposed J24/Inworth Road B1023.
Removal of the proposed signalised crossroads and partial signalisation of the existing roundabout at J25/A120.
National Highways sets out a series of factors to support the need for the project, citing the A12 as an important economic link in Essex and across the East of England and an important freight connection. Given the predicted growth in jobs and housing in the area, the A12 will act as a barrier to economic growth if improvements are not undertaken.
Merriman agreed with the examining authority that the applicant has sufficiently considered alternative options for the development, which is identified in Road Investment Strategy 2. Therefore, he agreed that substantial positive weight should be attached to the planning balance towards the need for the development.
They were also in agreement that while there would be localised net worsening in local air quality, as set out in the applicant’s study area as a result of construction of the development, “this would be limited and localised in nature and unlikely to result in any significant air quality effects”.
Moreover, Merriman noted that as a result of the development, “there would also be improvements to air quality at a number of locations due to either changes in traffic flows or as a result of the realignment of the main carriageway".
They agreed that the applicant had undertaken a “thorough and detailed" assessment of biodiversity matters that would be affected by the development, both directly and indirectly.
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The examining authority concluded that the significant improvements, such as new footways, cycleways and bridges proposed as part of the development will address existing severance issues and deliver significant benefits. Merriman was satisfied with the examining authority's conclusion that land use is a matter that weighs positively in favour of granting the DCO, attributing moderate positive weight,
For the examining authority, the need for the development has been met and the expected benefits carry substantial weight in favour of the granting of the DCO", and the transport minister is satisfied that the need for the development is established and he attributed considerable weight to the "additional highway network capacity that would help to support economic development, and improved links within the wider region and beyond".
In the planning balance, the minister is of the view that the “potential negative impacts are substantially outweighed by the benefits of the proposed development”.
The DCO was granted.
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