Issue details

The major new road infrastructure scheme to be delivered for the South Lancaster Growth Catalyst is considerable, and comprises the reconfiguration of M6 Junction 33 with a new highway connection providing a link to proposed housing areas west of the West Coast Main Line, along with a new spine road to service the Bailrigg Garden Village.  Together these form the 'South Lancaster to M6 Road Scheme'.

As the scheme represents a nationally significant infrastructure project, by virtue of the reconfiguration it proposes to the M6 Junction 33, statutory approval for development must be sought through a Development Consent Order, under the Planning Act 2008.

In order to maintain programme milestones and to ensure the scheme can be delivered, it is essential that the county council has possession of all the necessary land. Negotiations with landowners will commence immediately however, agreement may not be achievable in time or at all. Consequently, it may be necessary to use powers available to the county council to compulsorily acquire land and rights. 

Given a Development Consent Order is proposed to be sought, it is appropriate to use the same statutory provision to compulsorily acquire land and rights, and also to give the county council as highway authority the power to stop up, divert, improve or otherwise alter a side road, public right of way or private means of access.  Without this power, the county council could not carry out the necessary alterations to the existing accesses.

This report deals specifically with the M6 Junction 33 Reconfiguration with Link Road, which is the subject of an earlier report on this Cabinet agenda.  Subject to the approval of the recommendations contained in that report, the recommendations below seek the Cabinet's approval for the use of powers and preparation of documentation for land assembly and planning in respect of this part of the South Lancaster to M6 Road Scheme.  A further report in relation to the full scheme will be brought to a future Cabinet meeting.

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the requirements of Standing Order C20 have been complied with.