Gloucester - Notice Of Hearings Relating To The M5 Junction 10 Improvement Scheme

M5 J10 IMPROVEMENT SCHEME
SECTIONS 91, 92 AND 93 OF THE PLANNING ACT 2008
RULE 13(6) OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING (EXAMINATION PROCEDURE) RULES 2010
NOTICE OF HEARINGS RELATING TO THE M5 JUNCTION 10 IMPROVEMENT SCHEME
PLANNING INSPECTORATE REFERENCE: TR010063

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that, at the dates, times and places set out below, Issue Specific Hearings, Compulsory Acquisition Hearings and Open-floor Hearings will be held by the Examining Authority (appointed by the Secretary of State) for the examination of the application made by Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) for a Development Consent Order (“the DCO”) for the M5 Junction 10 Improvement scheme (“the Application”).

The Application was made to the Secretary of State (via the Planning Inspectorate) under sections 14, 22 and 37 of the Planning Act 2008 on 19 December 2023 and was accepted by the Planning Inspectorate for examination on 16 January 2024. The Application has been given the Planning Inspectorate reference number TR010063.

SUMMARY OF THE SCHEME

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.

If the DCO is made by the Secretary of State, it would allow Gloucestershire County Council, for the purposes of constructing, operating and maintaining the Scheme, 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.

The DCO would also make provision for development, which would constitute associated development together with other ancillary matters, including those referenced in Schedule 1 of the Draft DCO (REP5-003).

Gloucestershire County Council made a formal change request on 4 September 2024, which was accepted by the Examining Authority in their letter dated 17 September 2024 (PD-014). Gloucestershire County Council made a further formal change request on 11 October 2024, which was accepted by the Examining Authority in their letter dated 18 October 2024 (PD-018).

HEARINGS

Hearings to address matters arising under The Infrastructure Planning (Compulsory Acquisition) Regulations 2010’ will be held between Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 November 2024 as virtual events.

Whilst to date hearings have been conducted as blended events, being a mix of both in person and virtual, given that the NSIP process is primarily a written process, the limited extent of the additional land interests, and the limited nature of the proposed provisions the ExA is satisfied that it is proportionate and reasonable to conduct these hearings as solely virtual events.

Therefore, it will be possible for those who have registered to participate in the examination to participate virtually. If you have not registered to participate in the examination, you can view the proceedings or follow the proceeding online via the Planning Inspectorate’s project page: M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme - Project information (planninginspectorate.gov.uk)

The Planning Inspectorate case team will provide those who have confirmed that they intend to participate virtually with a web address and/or telephone number in order to allow access to the hearing via a tablet or computer connected to the internet and/or by telephone.

The Examining Authority’s letter (TR010063-001153-Rule 9 - Procedural Decision in relation to the Applicant’s 2nd change request - Oct 2024.pdf) contains a programme for the examination of the Application, including an additional set of hearings as set out below.

If you do not have the means to attend virtually, Gloucestershire County Council can arrange for a meeting room at the Council’s offices to be made available for Interested Parties to attend the hearings virtually. Please contact Gloucestershire County Council (using contact details below) if you wish to make use of the Council’s meeting room to attend the virtual hearings.

ARRANGEMENTS CONFERENCE - All virtual participants are required to attend an Arrangements Conference before each hearing session. The Arrangements Conference is mandatory and will be hosted by the Planning Inspectorate’s Case Team.

The Conference will start 30 minutes before the start of each hearing session. This will provide the Case Team with sufficient time to admit those participating virtually into the hearing. Further information about the above hearings is available to download via the following hyperlink M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme - Project information (planninginspectorate.gov.uk)

CANCELLATION OF HEARING - If any of the hearings are cancelled, reasonable notice will be provided of the Planning Inspectorate’s decision to cancel them by the posting of a banner on the project website.

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

In accordance with Rule 13(3) of the 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 the 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:

M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme - Project information (planninginspectorate.gov.uk)

If you intend to participate virtually at one of the hearings held during this Examination, please read the Planning Inspectorate’s Advice Note Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects: Registering to speak at, or attend, a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project event. This contains important information about how virtual events will be held and how you can participate. The advice note can be accessed via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nationally-significant-infrastructure-projects-registeringto- speak-at-or-attend-a-nationally-significant-infrastructure-project-event#how-toregister- to-speak-at-or-attend-a-nationally-significant-infrastructure-project-event

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: M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme - Project information (planninginspectorate.gov.uk)

Full copies of the Application documents can be viewed electronically, free of charge, at the electronic deposit locations listed in the table below:

Venue printing and copying charges will apply. Check with the venue before you leave to confirm opening times, and whether you need to bring a form of identification or register as a library member in order to use a computer at these locations.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further information about the Application, the hearings and site visit, how to take part in the Examination and any other matters covered in this notice may be obtained from the Planning Inspectorate or Gloucestershire County Council using the following contact details: