Portishead Branch Line (MetroWest Phase 1) Planning Inspectorate Reference: TR040011 Applicant: North Somerset District Council 9.4 ExA.RR.D1.V2 - Comments on Relevant Representations Author: North Somerset District Council Version: 2 Date: November 2020 DOCUMENT CONTROL DOCUMENT PROPERTIES Author SP, NSDC Title PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT POLICY OFFICER (NORTH SOMERSET DISTRICT COUNCIL, METROWEST PHASE 1 PROJECT TEAM) Document 9.4 ExA.RR.D1.V2 Reference VERSION HISTORY Date Version Status Description/changes 20/09/2020 1 DRAFT SP, NSDC initial draft 02/11/2020 2 FINAL Final 2 CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 2 Purpose of the document.......................................................................................................... 2 Structure of the document ........................................................................................................ 2 2. THE APPLICANT’S RESPONSE TO RELEVANT REPRESENTATIONS ............................... 3 Table 1 - The Applicant’s response to Relevant Representations ............................................ 3 Table 2 – The Applicant’s Response to Additional Submissions ...........................................326 Appendix A – Response to Portishead Town Council Appendix B – Response to Pill and Easton-In-Gordano Parish Council Appendix C – Response to Barry Cash Appendix D – Response to Freightliner Appendix E – Response to Bristol Port Company Appendix F – Response to Mrs Freestone Appendix G - WECA Report on "Extending Electrification Study" 2015 1 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Purpose of this document 1.1.1 This document has been prepared by North Somerset District Council (the Applicant) for submission to the Examining Authority (ExA) under Deadline 1 of the Examination of the Portishead Branch Line (MetroWest Phase 1) Development Consent Order (DCO) application. The document provides the Applicant’s response to Relevant Representations submitted to the ExA by Interested Parties. 1.2 Structure of the document 1.2.1 In total, 129 Relevant Representations were submitted to the ExA by the stated deadline for responses. An additional 6 Relevant Representations were accepted at the discretion of the ExA after this deadline had passed. In total, therefore, 135 Relevant Representations have been received and considered by the Applicant. 1.2.2 The applicant has reviewed all of the relevant representation received and considered their content. 1.2.3 Tables 1 and 2 provide: (a) the Planning Inspectorate reference number for each Relevant Representation received; (b) the name of the individual, party or organisation which made the representation (the Interested Party); (c) the representation itself; and (d) the Applicant’s response or comment on the content of the Relevant Representation. 1.2.4 In some instances, the Applicant has provided a response to a Relevant Representation directly to the Interested Party prior to submission of this document. This has occurred through ongoing engagement and correspondence with such parties. In such cases, a copy of this correspondence is provided in an Appendix to this document. 1.2.5 Similarly, the Applicant’s continued discussion and engagement with parties has in some cases resulted in a substantial change in the position between the Interested Party and the Applicant since the submission of the Relevant Representation. This has been captured in a ‘Statement of Common Ground' (SoCG). A progress update on SoCGs is to be submitted to the ExA on or before 2 October 2020 and copies of the latest drafts will be submitted directly to the ExA prior to Deadline 1. Where this has occurred, reference is made to the relevant submission and document reference number on the Planning Inspectorate website. 2 2. THE APPLICANT'S RESPONSE TO RELEVANT REPRESENTATIONS Table 1 - The Applicant’s response to Relevant Representations PINS Ref Organisation Relevant Representation Key Applicant's Response to Relevant No. with /Person Issues Representation issue ref 1-1 North Somerset The Council fully supports the proposal to re-open Various All matters raised in this Relevant Council the rail line between Portishead and Bristol and Representation are dealt with in a Statement believes it will reduce traffic movements with of Common Ground with North Somerset attendant carbon reduction and air quality benefits Council (Document Reference 9.3.1 and reduction of congestion on the network including ExA.SoCG-NSC.D1.V1) that is envisaged will the M5 and A369 and increase the resilience of the be submitted to the ExA prior to Deadline 1. sub-regional transport network. It considers there are potentially significant economic benefits to the region, improving accessibility to the Temple Quarter growth hub in Bristol and providing access to job opportunities in this location. The Council, which has declared a Climate Emergency, will also wish to make representations concerning matters including: The Planning statement gives a thorough overview of the issues that arise from the proposal. We are the Unitary authority for the area through which most of the line passes through. North Somerset Council has responsibility for Local Planning policies and making decisions on planning applications. We are currently preparing a new Local Plan for the period up to 2036. We therefore have considerable knowledge of committed development within the locality and its relationship with the proposed rail line. We also have a responsibility for Highways and Transport including roads, travel and parking. Our role extends to being Lead Flood and Public Health Authority, provider of social care, children, young people and families’ services and education 3 PINS Ref Organisation Relevant Representation Key Applicant's Response to Relevant No. with /Person Issues Representation issue ref authority. We also have an important role in community safety, crime prevention and emergency management. The Council is a Waste Management Authority. We have partnerships with other bodies in the area including the Avon Fire and Rescue Service, the NHS and Ambulance service, the Police, WECA and work closely with neighbouring authorities, Town and Parish Councils and other organisations such as the Environment Agency, and North Somerset Levels Internal Drainage Board to deliver services to our communities. Consequently, we will have interests in matters including traffic generation, highways, parking, accessibility for all groups, equal opportunities, living conditions of our residents, quality of design and landscape, the historic environment, air quality, biodiversity and ecology(there are several national and international designations), flood risk and drainage, contamination, materials and waste, noise and vibration. These include construction and operational phases. Importantly much of the area through which the line passes is Green Belt. Key locations include proposed stations, road re- alignment, and the Avon Gorge. Our Local Impact Report will detail these matters. We will continue to work with the applicant over these matters and a Statement of Common Ground. In addition, we have a vision for our four main towns and are committed to delivering economic regeneration in Portishead. Together with our close neighbour Bristol City Council we are aware of interests immediately outside our administrative boundaries such as the 4 PINS Ref Organisation Relevant Representation Key Applicant's Response to Relevant No. with /Person Issues Representation issue ref Conservation Areas and designations of national significance such as the Avon Gorge that straddle the boundary. As a Local Authority we have a responsibility to use our resources wisely and in a financially prudent way and the arrangements for discharge of Requirements and other procedural matters that form part of the Development Consent Order will be of significance to the Council. 2-1 Portishead 1. Areas of agreement 1.1. We support the plan to Support for The Applicant’s response to all matters raised Town Council re-open the railway to improve the connectivity of the scheme in this Relevant Representation is detailed in Portishead and the associated economic, correspondence with Portishead Town environmental and accessibility benefits that it will Council, which is provided at Appendix A of provide. 1.2. We agree with the diversion and this document. The detailed response from widening of Quays Avenue to link with Harbour Road the Applicant has been discussed with to the West of the existing roundabout intersection Portishead Town Council and the parties will with Harbour Road and Phoenix Way. 1.3. continue to work together. Portishead has gone through massive change in the past ten years, it is one of the fastest growing towns in the UK and is lacking the infrastructure to support its population increase. Space for infrastructure and commercial development to support the population is now constrained and so it is important that the potential amenity land around the station is used efficiently and supports wider regeneration. 2-2 1.4. Against this background we agree with the Portishead location of the railway station (Work No.5) as this will rail station foster economic development of the area to the East design & of Quays Avenue and South of Harbour Road, facilities including the existing Portishead and Gordano Gate Business parks. It may be envisaged that the station will encourage further business, retail and residential regeneration of this