Advice to J J Mellor
Back to listEnquiry
- From
- J J Mellor
- Date advice given
- 15 March 2012
- Enquiry type
- Post
See attached letter.
Advice given
The proposed A556 Knutsford to Bowdon 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.
As you are aware the Highways Agency is currently consulting with local communities on their proposal in accordance with the duties which the Planning Act 2008 places upon them. At this stage, I would suggest that engaging in this consultation is the most appropriate action. Their project website can be accessed via the following link:
http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/14909.aspx
As your letter raises concerns with the consultation being carried out you may also wish to send a copy of your correspondence to the relevant local authority. When an application is submitted to the IPC (following the pre-application stage), we have a 28 day period during which a Commissioner will decide whether to accept the application to progress to the examination stage. During this time we will invite relevant local authorities to provide us with their comments on the adequacy of the promoter?s consultation.
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
For further information on the IPC and the specifics of the process which is to be followed you may wish to read advice that we have published. All of our advice is available via our website at www.infrastructure.independent.gov.uk.
At this stage I would suggest reading the enclosed 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 pertaining to your query.
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. Further information regarding transition arrangements can be found in the leaflet enclosed.