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Advice to Chris Matthews

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Enquiry

From
Chris Matthews
Date advice given
8 March 2012
Enquiry type
Email

Please could you review the contents of the attachment and if you feel there is a valid point for the Highways Agency to take into consideration please could you ensure that they act accordingly. The same letter has been sent to Jeremy Bloom at the Highways Agency and clearly it is he I would expect a full response from.

Advice given

The proposed A556 Knutsford to Bowden Scheme is currently at the pre-application stage of the process. Due to the nature of the planning regime established by the Planning Act 2008 (PA 2008), at the pre-application stage the IPC is unable to process and respond to comments on the merits of a scheme. This ensures the impartiality of the IPC and protects the interests of all parties involved in the process.

I note in your email to us that you have contacted Mr. Jeremy Bloom at the Highways Agency. It should be noted that the Highways Agency has recently commenced consultation on their proposals in accordance with the duties which the PA 2008 places upon them. As the PA 2008 process is frontloaded, you may wish to engage with their consultation at this stage. Their project website can be accessed at the following link ? http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/14909.aspx

If, following submission of the application, the IPC accepts the application for examination, there will be an opportunity to register your views with the IPC and participate in the examination by completing a relevant representation form. Details about how and when to register will be publicised by the developer in local newspapers and via on site notices. Further project information, including how to register, will also be available on the IPC website at the relevant stage.

Further information about how to participate in the application process can be found in our advice notes. At this stage I would suggest reading the attached advice notes, namely 8.1 (how the process works), 8.2 (how to have your say on a major infrastructure proposal) and 8.5 (The examination process) which will provide you with further information on the IPC process. You may also wish to visit our website to view further advice and guidance on the process, on the following link:

http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/legislation-and-advice/advice-notes/ Furthermore as of 1 April 2012, as part of the Localism Act, the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) will be abolished and a new National Infrastructure Directorate will be created within the Planning Inspectorate, an agency of the Department for Communities and Local Government. The move to the Planning Inspectorate will be seamless and the examination of applications for major infrastructure projects will not be delayed. You should however note that as from 1 April 2012 any correspondence about major infrastructure projects will be addressed from the National Infrastructure Directorate, Planning Inspectorate.

Please find attached hereto a ?flyer? detailing the IPC?s move to the Planning Inspectorate.

Attachments

View advice (PDF)