Agenda item

Report by the Assistant Director of Highways and Transport.

The Chairman of the Communities, Highways and Environment Scrutiny Committee will be invited to speak for up to three minutes to provide the views of their Committee on the National Highways A27 Arundel Bypass WSCC consultation response.

Each of the main Minority Group Leaders will be invited to speak for up to three minutes on the National Highways A27 Arundel Bypass WSCC consultation response.

The Cabinet will then discuss the report and proposals prior to taking any decision.

Following consideration of the report, the Cabinet resolved to:

(a)     approve the comments in paragraphs 2.36-2.108 of the report and the detailed comments on the PEIR in Appendix C of the report as the County Council’s formal response to the consultation on the A27 Arundel Bypass;

(b)     authorise the Assistant Director of Highways, Transport, and Planning to respond to any further stages of pre-submission consultation, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change - in support of the formal response approved under (a);

(c)     if an application for a Development Consent Order is submitted, authorises the Assistant Director of Highways, Transport, and Planning to:

(i)      approve the County Council’s ‘adequacy of consultation’ response;

(ii)     prepare and submit the County Council’s written representation and Local Impact Report; to negotiate with the applicant on the DCO requirements, any S106 Agreement, and the preparation of a Statement of Common Ground; and to comment on the written representations of third parties – all in support of the formal response approved under (a);

(iii)    attend the examination hearings and answer the Examining Authority’s questions in support of the County Council’s position; and

(d)     if a Development Consent Order is made, approve ‘in principle’ the County Council becoming a relevant authority for the discharge of requirements.

The call-in deadline is 24 March 2022.

46.1            Cabinet considered a report by the Assistant Director of Highways and Transport. The report was introduced by Cllr Urquhart who said that congestion at various locations represents a barrier to growth. The report highlights areas of concern and urges National Highways to provide additional information prior to the proposal’s submission for a Development Consent Order (DCO). The Cabinet Member acknowledged the impact the proposal had on the road network and communities and, in proposing to support in principle as the only option available from National Highways, that work with stakeholders, residents and the local MP is crucial in order to seek increased mitigations of the effects of the bypass. Lee Harris, Director of Place said that the DCO process was lengthy and referred to the Council’s role as a statutory consultee and the importance to WSCC of the de-trunking of the current route.

46.2            Cllr David Britton, Chairman of the Communities, Highways and Environment Scrutiny Committee said the committee invited members for the divisions most impacted by the proposal to speak at the recent meeting on behalf of residents. The Committee was pleased that its recommendations had been considered and that some amendments had been made to strengthen the response, including reference to financial consequences to the county council.

46.3            Cllr Kirsty Lord, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group felt that National Highways had not listened to residents and their preference for a different route and that the council was forced to accept the grey route or risk no bypass at all. Cllr Lord said the council could strengthen the argument for the inadequacy of the consultation in terms of ecological and other impacts. Cllr Lord said, whilst there were benefits to the de-trunking strategy, it was not clear what this would look like and that the response should in general be more robust and upfront around funding.

46.4            Cllr Caroline Baxter, Leader of the Labour Group supported the principle of a bypass but not the proposed one. She considered the impact on the wildlife and biodiversity and that without further detail of ongoing costs that no commitment should be made.

46.5            Cllr Donna Johnson, Leader of the Green and Independent Alliance Group felt a more robust response should be given and that the views of communities should be respected. Cllr Johnson said the proposal changes the character of the current settlement and, if approved, risks dispersing communities with fewer access routes to the wider transport network. She said trends indicating fewer car journeys meant this is not the safest or most sustainable route.

46.6            The following points were made by Cabinet Members:

Ø  Cllr Lanzer said reappraising the scheme would mean waiting years for a new investment proposal. The option did not encroach on the South Downs National Park. The county population is increasing and there is a need for the bypass. Cllr Lanzer felt that National Highways should be given the chance to improve the proposals and that the opportunity should not be missed.

Ø  Cllr Dennis felt the points raised which needed further clarity and investigation were made clear in the report and response to National Highways.

Ø  Cllr Crow considered the need for the bypass had been a longstanding issue and that the opportunity may not return; to do nothing isn’t an option. He highlighted WSCC’s role as a significant consultee and feels the response is thorough.

Ø  Cllr N Jupp said the improvement the bypass would make would be felt in the immediate vicinity, but also in other parts of the county to help the general flow of traffic.

Ø  Cllr Waight emphasised that this response did not signal the end of WSCC’s involvement but was the start of a lengthy process which the council would still influence.

Ø  The Leader felt the report addresses the sensitivities, particularly around Walberton. The council would work with National Highways to mitigate impact and find solutions. He highlighted the need for an infrastructure which could manage an improved economic landscape and the links with the Government’s Levelling Up agenda, creating better opportunities for local residents and businesses. He felt it important not to undermine the opportunity for a huge investment in the county.

46.7            Cllr Urquhart summarised this is the first part of process and there is a lot of work ahead. She emphasised the council’s role as consultee and not decision maker, but that work would take place with MPs and National Highways to find viable solutions.

46.8             Resolved – that Cabinet:

(a)     approve the comments in paragraphs 2.36-2.108 of the report and the detailed comments on the PEIR in Appendix C of the report as the County Council’s formal response to the consultation on the A27 Arundel bypass;

(b)     authorise the Assistant Director of Highways, Transport, and Planning to respond to any further stages of pre-submission consultation, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change - in support of the formal response approved under (a);

(c)     if an application for a Development Consent Order is submitted, authorises the Assistant Director of Highways, Transport, and Planning to:

(i)      approve the County Council’s ‘adequacy of consultation’ response;

(ii)     prepare and submit the County Council’s written representation and Local Impact Report; to negotiate with the applicant on the DCO requirements, any S106 Agreement, and the preparation of a Statement of Common Ground; and to comment on the written representations of third parties – all in support of the formal response approved under (a);

(iii)    attend the examination hearings and answer the Examining Authority’s questions in support of the County Council’s position; and

(d)     if a Development Consent Order is made, approve ‘in principle’ the County Council becoming a relevant authority for the discharge of requirements.