Issue details

Highways England have now submitted their application for a Development Consent Order for the A428 improvements between Black Cat and Caxton Gibbet. This is a significant step forwards in the formal process for the scheme, and matters now become quite procedural and there are set timescales and processes for the application.

The first stage is a review of the application by the Planning Inspectorate who will be determining the submission, specifically regarding the consultation which has been carried out by Highways England to support the scheme. The Planning Inspectorate has requested a formal written response on the adequacy of consultation carried out on the scheme. This request was received on the 26th of February with a 14 day deadline expiring this Friday, 12th March.

The Cambridgeshire authorities have been working together on a joint response. As this is a fairly procedural part of the process, which doesn’t cover the merits or benefits and impacts of the scheme, and is restricted to the consultation that has been carried out, the Cambridgeshire authorities aim to confirm that Highways England has consulted the authorities adequately as part of the pre-application process. However, the response will also highlight areas that need to be addressed as part of the DCO discussions.