Roads

Wednesday 8th November 2023 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Huw Merriman)]

I have been asked by the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Forest of Dean (Mr Harper), to make this written statement. This statement confirms that it has been necessary to extend the deadline for the decision on the application by National Highways under the Planning Act 2008 for the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Development Consent Order.

Under section 107(1) of the Planning Act 2008, the Secretary of State must make his decision within three months of receipt of the Examining Authority’s report unless exercising the power under section 107(3) to extend the deadline and make a statement to the House of Parliament announcing the new deadline.

The Secretary of State received the Examining Authority’s report on the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Development Consent Order application on 7 August 2023. The current deadline for a decision is therefore 7 November 2023.

The deadline for the decision is to be extended to 7 March 2024—an extension of four months.

The reason for the extension is to allow for further consideration of matters including those not resolved at the time the Examining Authority’s report was received by the Secretary of State. This will include the consideration of information submitted by the applicant regarding impacts on the North Pennine Moors Special Area of Conservation, to ensure compliance with the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

The decision to set a new deadline is without prejudice to the decision on whether to give development consent for the above application.

[HCWS5]