Representation by A L Alston & Sons Ltd (A L Alston & Sons Ltd)
- Date submitted
- 14 June 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
We wish to make representations on behalf of A L Alston & Sons Ltd concerning the configuration of the proposed grade separate junction at Wood Lane. We have been engaged with Highways England at all the consultation stages that form part of the preparation of the highway improvements for the A47 in Norfolk. We have generally been supportive in developing a junction for Wood Lane which involves a proportion of our clients land. Our concern relates to a section of land bounded by the improved A47, and a side road leading from the Wood Lane junction westwards towards Hockering. It has been the intention of the landowner to promote the land (approximately 9 acres) for roadside services including a petrol filling / EV station. We have indicated our intentions over a lengthy period via letters and e-mails with the relevant Councils and Highways England. We can provide if necessary copies of representations, e-mails and letters to date. The subsequent road scheme that has been submitted shows the area concerned now the subject of landscaping/biodiversity net gain initiatives. This is illustrated on sheets 6 & 7 of the Environmental Masterplan (6.8). We believe that these biodiversity net gains can be achieved on an alternative section of our clients land to the south of the improved A47 where half of the land is proposed in part for an attenuation pond. We believe that the alternative position of for these measures, on an area of land already being used to deal with drainage matters, would be more appropriate and link to existing woodland to the south. Our client also has additional land to the north if it is needed. We have not been able to submit proposals as a planning application for our roadside services as the design of the Wood Lane junction was not fixed until a late stage. We don’t believe that the landscaping proposals formed part of any consultation undertaken by Highways England so we haven’t had the opportunity to discuss potential alternatives. By the time any discussion occurred the application had already been submitted. In summary, we object to the use of this area of land being used for landscape purposes and that there are reasonable alternatives to where the landscaping/biodiversity net gain solutions can be sited. This will allow appropriate roadside services to be sited at this junction.