M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme

NOTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 56 PLANNING ACT 2008 REGULATION 9, THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING (APPLICATIONS: PRESCRIBED FORMS AND PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS 2009 REGULATION 16, THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) REGULATIONS 2017
NOTICE OF ACCEPTANCE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A DEVELOPMENT CONSENTORDER PROPOSED M5 JUNCTION 10 IMPROVEMENTS SCHEME (PLANNING INSPECTORATE REFERENCE: TR010063)

Notice is hereby given that the Secretary of State for Transport has accepted an application made by Gloucestershire County Council (“GCC”) of Block 5, 6th Floor East, Shire Hall, Gloucester, GL1 2TH, under section 37 of the Planning Act 2008 (the “Application”) for a Development Consent Order (“DCO”). The Application was submitted by GCC on 19th December 2023 and accepted for examination 16th January 2024. The Planning Inspectorate
reference number is TR010063.

Summary of Application The proposed DCO is for the M5 Junction 10 improvement Scheme (the “Scheme”), located within the administrative areas of Cheltenham Borough Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council, and Gloucestershire County Council. The Scheme includes three elements comprising of alterations to M5 Junction 10, widening along the A4019 and construction of a new Link Road to West Cheltenham. In summary, the proposals include:

• The alterations to M5 Junction 10 consist of a new all-movements elongated roundabout junction. Two new overbridges will be constructed over the M5, centred either side of the existing Piffs Elm Interchange Bridge (carrying the A4019 over the M5), which will then be demolished. An underpass will also be constructed under the A4019 immediately east of Junction 10 to provide a traffic free route for bats to cross under the road, as well as pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians. To the southeast of M5 Junction 10, an area of land will be reprofiled to provide compensatory flood storage for the Scheme.
• The A4019 will be widened to a two-lane dual carriageway from Withybridge Lane, eastwards to the Gallagher Retail Park, where the scheme will tie into existing dual carriageway. The widening will also include a bus lane on the A4019 eastbound carriageway from the West Cheltenham Fire Station to the Gallagher Junction. Three new junctions will be created along this road, as well as some changes to existing junctions and includes segregated pedestrian and cyclist facilities. The A4019 will be
realigned to provide appropriate entry angle to the new roundabout, and the grade of the A4019 will also be altered to meet the raised elevation of the altered M5 Junction 10.

•The Scheme will also provide a new single carriageway link road between the B4634 to the A4019 in order to allow traffic from the West Cheltenham development to use M5 Junction 10 and thereby reduce pressure on Junction 11 and local roads. The Link Road will include a segregated cycleway and footway, and a single span bridge will be constructed over the River Chelt.

Environmental Impact Assessment The Application is for “Environmental Impact Assessment development” for the purposes of The Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017. The Application is therefore accompanied by an Environmental Statement.

Copies of Application Document An electronic copy of the application form and its accompanying documents, plans and maps (including the draft Order), together with paper copies of the Application Form and Covering Letter, Consultation Report and Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary may be inspected free of charge at the locations and times set out below. These documents will be
available to view from 12th February 2024 until 24th March 2024.

Copies of all documents are also available to view online through the Planning Inspectorate website where they will remain available during the period for representations on the
 
Application and during the examination of the Application:
https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-west/m5-junction-10-improvements-scheme/?ipcsection=overview

Copies of all documents can be provided free of charge on a USB stick. Paper copies of the documents can be made available, but a charge will need to be made to cover printing and postage costs, up to a maximum of £1,000. Please contact GCC by email: M5Junction10@atkinsrealis.com; or by writing to M5 Junction 10 Team, Block 5, 6th Floor East, Shire Hall, Gloucester, GL1 2TH to request copies and for details regarding payment methods.

Making representations on the Application

Any person may make representations on the Application to the Secretary of State. The period for making representations starts on 12th February 2024 and will end at 23:59 on 24th March 2024. All representations (giving notice of any interest in, or objection to, the Application) must be made on the Planning Inspectorate’s Registration and Relevant Representation Form, which can be accessed and completed online by following the instructions on the relevant link:

https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-west/m5-junction-10-improvements-scheme/?ipcsection=overview

The Planning Inspectorate’s Advice Note 8.2: How to register to participate in an Examination (December 2016) provides further guidance on how to register as an interested party and make a relevant representation and can be accessed via the following link:

https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/legislation-and-advice/advice-notes/advice-note-8-2-how-to-register-to-participate-in-an-examination/

The Registration and Relevant Representation form will be made available by the Inspectorate once the registration/ representation period has opened on the relevant page for the Application via the National Infrastructure Planning website:

https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-west/m5-junction-10-improvements-scheme/

If you would like to request a paper copy of the Planning Inspectorate’s Registration and Relevant Representation Form, please telephone the Planning Inspectorate on 0303 444 5000. Completed forms should then be sent to: The Planning Inspectorate, Major Applications & Plans, 3D Temple Quay House, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN. The Planning Inspectorate reference for the Application (TR010063) should be quoted in any correspondence.

Representations must be received by the Planning Inspectorate by 11:59pm on the 24th March 2024.

Please note representations will be made public and will be subject to the Planning Inspectorate’s privacy policy at

https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/help/privacy-and-cookie/

Further information about the Application may be obtained from GCC using the following contact details:

Email: M5Junction10@atkinsrealis.com
Telephone: 01454 667900
Post: ‘FREEPOST M5 JUNCTION 10’

Gloucestershire County Council
9th February 2024