Darlington, Planning Notice

National Highways

Notification Of Hearings Under Rule 13(6) Of The Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010 National Highways

A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project Sections 91 And 92 Of The Planning Act 2008 Rule 13(6) Of The Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010

Notice Of Hearings Relating To The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project Planning Inspectorate Reference: TR010062

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, at the dates, times and locations set out below, compulsory acquisition hearings and issue specific hearings will be held by the Examining Authority (appointed by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) for the examination of the application made by National Highways for a Development Consent Order ("the DCO") for the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project ("the Application").

The Application was made to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (via the Planning Inspectorate) under sections 14, 22 and 37 of the Planning Act 2008 on 21 June 2022 and was accepted by the Planning Inspectorate for examination on 19 July 2022. The Application has been given the Planning Inspectorate reference number TR010062.

Summary Of The Project

The Application seeks development consent for the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project in the North of England region, located within the administrative areas of Cumbria County Council; Durham County Council; Eden District Council; North Yorkshire County Council; and Richmondshire District Council ("the Project"). The main aspects of the Project comprise:

The application is for development consent to construct, operate and maintain the dualling of all the remaining single lengths of carriageway of the A66 to create a continuous 70mph dual carriageway (with the exception of a short length of 50mph dualling between M6 Junction 40 and east of Kemplay Bank) across the North Pennines, between the M6 motorway and A1(M) junctions, including improvement of these two junctions. "The Project" comprises eight schemes with the following main features:

* Online widening (adjacent to the existing road) of the carriageway and improvement to junctions within these lengths of the widened route

* Offline construction (new lengths of road following different routes but reconnecting into existing lengths of the A66 that are already dualled) including new junctions to connect to the local road network

* Improvement to and the construction of new cycleways, footpaths and bridleways

* Ancillary or related development, including works associated with the tie-in of the authorised development; street works, relocation of new road traffic signs, signals, street lighting, road restraints and carriageway markings; works to alter, remove or maintain street furniture or apparatus; works to facilitate traffic management, provide vehicle recovery services and to deliver information relating to the authorised development; and works to stop up, provide or re-provide private means of access to land or premises

* All schemes (with the exception of the A1(M) Junction 53 Scotch Corner scheme) include lengths of de-trunked A66 as a result of the Project.

If the DCO is made by the Secretary of State for Transport, it would allow National Highways, for the purpose of constructing, operating and maintaining the Project, to acquire compulsorily interests in and rights over land, including the power to create and acquire new rights over land, and to take possession of and to use land temporarily.

Hearings

The Examining Authority's Rule 8 letter dated 8 December 2022 contains a programme for the examination of the Application, including a number of hearings. Those hearings taking place in March 2023 will be held at the dates, times and locations set out in the table below.

The venue will be open to the public half an hour before the start of the hearings.

Full instructions on how to join online or by telephone will be provided in advance to

those who have pre-registered with the Planning Inspectorate.

Any hearings further to those listed above will be advertised by one or more further

notices. In accordance with Rule 13(3) of Infrastructure Planning (Examination

Procedure) Rules 2010, as amended, the Planning Inspectorate will also notify

interested parties of the date, time and place fixed for each hearing.

For more information on these hearings, the examination of the Application and

full timetable (and any amendments to it), including how and when to register to

speak at the hearings and how and when to make written submissions, please

contact the Planning Inspectorate using the details below, or visit its website where

procedural decisions and notices of hearings are available to download.

https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/north-west/a66-northern-

trans-pennine-project/

Copies Of The Application Documents

Copies of the Application documents, including the draft Development Consent Order, the compulsory acquisition information (including the Land Plans, Book of Reference, Funding Statement and Statement of Reasons) and the Environmental Statement can be viewed and downloaded online at the Planning Inspectorate's project website: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/north-west/a66-northern-

Full copies of the Application documents can be viewed at the following public locations:

*The library opening times are subject to change and we would recommend you contact the library in advance to confirm.

** You must book an appointment 3 working days before the date of your appointment at the latest. If you book after this time, the Hub unfortunately may not be able to accommodate you.

Accompanied Site Inspection

In addition to the above hearings, the Examining Authority has reserved a day for an Accompanied Site Inspection (ASI) in the company of interested parties on 28th February 2023.

If you wish to attend the ASI please can you contact the Planning Inspectorate's Case Manager, Bart Bartkowiak at the postal or email address at the end of this notice by

14th February 2023.

Further Information

Further information about the Application, the hearings, how to take part in the Examination and any other matters covered in this notice may be obtained from the Planning Inspectorate or National Highways A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project team using the following contact details: