GovWire

I have been asked by my Right Honourable Friend, the Secretary of State for Transport, to make this written ministerial statement. This statement confirms that it has been necessary to extend the deadline for the decision on the Application by National Highways under the Planning Act 2008 for the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Development Consent Order (DCO).

Under section 107(1) of the Planning Act 2008, the Secretary of State must make his decision within 3 months of receipt of the Examining Authoritys report unless exercising the power under section 107(3) to extend the deadline and make a statement to the House of Parliament announcing the new deadline.

The Secretary of State received the Examining Authoritys report on the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine DCO application on 7 August 2023. The current deadline for a decision is, therefore, 7 November 2023.

The reason for the extension is to allow for further consideration of matters including those not resolved at the time the Examining Authoritys Report was received by the Secretary of State. This will include the consideration of information submitted by the Applicant regarding impacts on the North Pennine Moors Special Area of Conservation, to ensure compliance with the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

The decision to set a new deadline is without prejudice to the decision on whether to give development consent for the above application.