Agenda item

 Report by Alistair Cunningham, Corporate Director

 Councillor Bridget Wayman presented the report which sought: to inform Members of the actions taken by Highways England since the previous report and outline the scheme, which is the subject of this public consultation; to confirm the Council’s response to the statutory public consultation; and seek agreement to the proposed delegated authority provisions to enable the Council to fulfil its statutory duties with regard to the Development Consent Order (DCO) process for this road improvement scheme. In making her presentation, Councillor Wayman drew attention to the proposals relating to Byways 11 and 12 and the option which officers were recommending Highways England pursue (paragraphs 89-101 within Appendix 1 of the report).  She also stated that officers would be asked to consider including a statement proposing an assessment of the effect of the proposals on the Nile Clumps, and if necessary their potential replanting in an alternative position.

Councillor Mathew Dean spoke as Chair of the Environment Select Committee and confirmed that whilst there had not been an opportunity for the committee to discuss the report at their meeting, the views of the members of the committee had been sought. He also confirmed that whilst there was a diversity of the opinion, the majority of the members who had responded were in favour of the proposals.

Councillor Brian Mathew spoke against the proposals for the tunnel emphasising the desire to preserve the view of the site from the highway.

Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe emphasised the community and heritage group support for the principle of the tunnel.

Resolved

·        To note the contentsofthis report

·        To agreethe proposedresponseto HighwaysEngland forthis statutorypublicconsultation

·        Torestatethe Council’ssupportinprincipleforthe proposalfromHE tobringaboutsubstantialimprovementsto theA303atStonehengeby buildinga dualcarriagewayand tunnel,subject tothe considerations listed inAppendix1

·        To Agreethe proposeddelegatedauthorityprovisionsoutlinedbelowto enablethe Councilto fulfilitsstatutory dutieswithregardto theDevelopmentConsent Order (DCO) processfor this road improvement scheme.

1)      Endorsestheresponseto PublicConsultationdocument,as setout inAppendix1 subjecttoamendmentin (2),for thepurposeofsubmissionto Highways England

2)      Authorisesthe Directorfor Highwaysand Transportin consultationwithappropriateCabinet Member(s) to:

a.       Finalisethe consultationdocumentsandmakeanynecessary minorchangesin theinterestsofclarity andaccuracy before theyare submittedto HighwaysEnglandas theCouncil’sformalconsultation response;

b.      Makearrangementsfor anysubsequentconsultationresponsesthat maybe requestedby Highways England;and

c.       Respondto anyqueriesthat mayariseas aresult ofthesubmission of this consultation response.

3)      Delegatedauthorityto begrantedtoDirectorfor Highwaysand Transportto preparethe LocalImpactReport onbehalfoftheCounciland submitto thePlanningInspectorateinaccordancewiththe timetablefor theexamination process

4)      Delegatedauthorityto begivento Directorfor Highwaysand Transportto makeminoramendmentstotheLocalImpactReportto rectifysuch matters astypographical or grammatical errors

5)      Delegatedauthoritytobe givento theDirectorfor Highwaysand Transporttoformally contributeto,agreeand signa statementofcommongroundtobesubmitted totheExaminingAuthorityofthe PlanningInspectoratein accordancewiththe timetablefor theExaminationprocess and withinthetermsofthe Council’sLocal ImpactReport

6)      Delegated authority to be given to Director for Highways and Transport to prepare on behalf of the Council and submit to the Planning Inspectorate:

a.       An adequacy of consultation representation (if required)

b.       Representations on the Environmental Statement

c.       The relevant representation and written representations on the application

7)      Delegated authority to be given to Director for Highways and Transport to formally respond to the Examining Authority’s Inspector’s questions in accordance with the timetable for the examination process during the course of the Examination and also to make comment on the submissions of other parties including the applicant

8)      Delegated authority to be given to the Director for Highways and Transport to formally represent the views of the Council at the preliminary meeting, any topic specific hearing and subsequent requirements in accordance with the timetable for the examination process during the course of the examination, within the terms of the Council’s Local Impact Report

9)      Delegated authority to be given to the Director for Highways and Transport to add formal comments on the draft requirements (conditions) and planning obligations of the Development Consent Order

10)  Delegated authority to be given to Director for Highways and Transport to carry out all non-statutory community benefit negotiations and to make decisions relevant to such negotiations in connection with or arising from the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down Road Scheme

11)  Delegated authority to be given to Director for Highways and Transport to carry out all statutory functions of the Council under the Planning Act 2008 as both Local Authority and Planning Authority in connection with the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down Road Scheme.

Reason for Decision:

The case for dualling the A303 between Amesbury and Berwick Down has long been established through promoting economic growth in the South West, increasing safety, improving connectivity with neighbouring regions and protecting and enhancing the environment.

Highways England have improved the scheme previously consulted on and are now seeking views on a detailed scheme in advance of its Development Consent Order (DCO) application. Whilst, there are issues which will require resolution and further information is required before the Council can fully assess the scheme, officers believe that the proposed scheme is capable of addressing the transport, economic, heritage and community issues associated with the A303.

The Council will continue to work with Highways England and other key stakeholders to further develop the scheme proposals in advance of the DCO application being submitted.