Heath Road - Planning Application For Development

Application for Outline Planning Permission for: 545 Residential Units Including Dwellinghouses and Senior Living and Extra Care Uses at Heath Business and Technology Park and Land North of Heath Road, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 4QF.

PLANNING APPLICATION REF: 22/00569/OUT
PLANNING INSPECTORATE REF: APP/D0650/V/24/3352472

The above planning application was called in for decision by the Secretary of State by a direction, made under section 77 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, on 19 th September 2024. A Public Inquiry is scheduled to be held by the Planning Inspectorate, commencing 4th February 2025.

The Secretary of State has received a request from the Health and Safety Executive dated 23rd October 2024 to issue a Direction under section 321(3) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in relation to the above case, requiring that the proofs of evidence, summaries and appendices of the persons listed in Schedule 1 shall only be heard and open to inspection by certain named persons, as set out in the schedules to the Direction. The Secretary of State is minded to issue such a Direction.

Below is a draft section 321(3) Direction which is required to be published pursuant to Rule 6(4)(a) and Rule 6(4)(b) of the Planning (National Security Directions and Appointed Representatives) (England) Rules 2006. The notice is an invitation to submit representations on the intention to issue the Direction to PCU@communities. gov.uk Pursuant to Rule 6(6)(c) of the above rules. Representations should be received by the Secretary of State within 14 days of the day the notice is given.

Following the expiry of the 14-day period, if publicity elicits relevant objections to the Direction, the Secretary of State may consider the objections and decide whether to give the Direction. 

Once the Secretary of State has decided whether to make a Direction, the decision (including a copy of the Direction, if given) will be sent to everyone who had made representations.

Yours faithfully Andrew Plant Head of Planning & Development Municipal Building Kingsway WA8 7QF

Draft Section 321 (3) Direction in respect of an Inquiry into planning application by SOG Ltd for 545 Residential Units Including Dwellinghouses and Senior Living and Extra Care Uses at Heath Business and Technology Park and Land North of Heath Road, Runcorn, Cheshire. APPLICATION REF: 22/00569/OUT.

1. The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has considered the request by the Health and Safety Executive for a direction under section 321 (3) of the Town and Country Planning Act (“the 1990 Act”) relating to certain evidence relevant to the above application.

2. The Secretary of State has considered the information submitted by the Health and Safety Executive and the representations received, including those made in response to the publication of the notice in the Runcorn Weekly News on 2 nd January 2025 and communicated to relevant parties.

3. The Secretary of State is satisfied that, in the case of the inquiry to be held into this application under section 320 (1) of the 1990 Act, the giving of evidence of a particular description or making it available for inspection would be likely to result in the disclosure of information as to matters of national security or the measures taken or to be taken to ensure the security of premises or property; and that the public disclosure of that information would be contrary to the national interest.

4. Accordingly, in the exercise of the powers conferred on her by section 321 (3) of the 1990 Act, the Secretary of State hereby directs that the statements of case, statement of common ground (public safety), proofs of evidence, summaries, appendices and written submissions of the persons listed in Schedule 1 that relate to public safety, shall only be heard and open to inspection by the persons listed in Schedule 2.

Schedule 1
The proofs of evidence, summaries, appendices and written submissions of the following shall only be heard and open to inspection by the persons listed in Schedule 2:
(Individuals to be confirmed)

HSE - Representatives of the HSE, and their Counsel/advisors
Applicant - Representatives of the Applicant, and their Counsel/advisors
Halton BC - Representatives of the Council, and their Counsel/advisors

Schedule 2
Planning Inspectorate (PINS)
Representatives of the following parties: (Individuals to be confirmed)
HSE:
Applicant - SOG Ltd:
Halton Borough Council:
MHCLG:
Planning Inspectorate: