A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Scheme development consent decision announced
Today, 12 January 2024, the A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Scheme application has been granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Transport.
The application involves the widening where necessary of the A12 between Chelmsford (junction 19) and the A120 (junction 25) from two to three lanes in each direction; improve junction 19 and 25; removal of junctions 20a, 20b and 23; move junction 21, 22 and 24 to make them all movement junctions and; create two bypasses.
The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by National Highways on 15 August 2022 and accepted for Examination on 12 September 2022.
Following an Examination during which the public, Statutory Consultees and Interested Parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 12 October 2023.
This is the 129th Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project and 49th transport application to have been examined by The Planning Inspectorate within the timescales laid down in the Planning Act 2008.
The Planning Inspectorate’s Chief Executive, Paul Morrison said:
“The Planning Inspectorate has now examined more than 100 nationally significant infrastructure projects since the Planning Act 2008 process was introduced, ensuring local communities have had the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them.
“Local communities continue to be given the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them. Local people, the local authority and other Interested Parties were able to participate in this six-month Examination.
“The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the Examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State.”
The decision, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State for Transport and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation are publicly available on the project pages of the National Infrastructure Planning website.
Journalists wanting further information should contact the Planning
Inspectorate Press Office, on 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email:
Press.office@planninginspectorate.gov.uk
Notes to editors:
The Planning Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Programme of Projects details the proposals which are anticipated to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate as applications in the coming months.