7.1 Case for the Scheme and NPSAccordance 7.1 CasefortheScheme and A303 Amesbury toBerwickAmesbury Down Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Formsand Procedure) Regulations 2009 APFP Regulation 5(2)(q) Planning Act 2008 TR010025 October 2018 Volume 17 Infrastructure Planning Planning Act 2008 The Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009 A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down Development Consent Order 20[xx] CASE FOR THE SCHEME AND NPS ACCORDANCE Regulation Number: Regulation 5(2)(q) Planning Inspectorate Scheme TR010025 Reference Application Document Reference 7.1 Author: A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down Project Team, Highways England Version Date Status of Version Rev 0 October 2018 Application issue A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down Foreword The A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down scheme (“the Scheme”) forms part of a programme of improvements for upgrading the A303/A358 corridor, improving this vital connection between the South West and London and the South East and including the upgrade of remaining single carriageway sections on the route to dual carriageway. This investment is stated as a priority project in the National Infrastructure Plan and Government’s commitment is confirmed in the Road Investment Strategy (2015-2020). Subject to achieving an approved Development Consent Order (“DCO”), preliminary works are planned to start in 2020 with the main construction works following in 2021, and the Scheme is due to open to traffic in 2026. Objectives for the Scheme have been formulated both to address identified problems and to take advantage of the opportunities that new infrastructure would provide. The objectives are defined by the Department for Transport (“DfT”): Transport - To create a high quality reliable route between the South East and the South West that meets the future needs of traffic; Economic Growth - to enable growth in jobs and housing by providing a free flowing and reliable connection between the South East and the South West. Cultural Heritage - To help conserve and enhance the World Heritage Site and to make it easier to reach and explore; and Environment and Community - To improve biodiversity and provide a positive legacy for nearby communities. The objectives would be achieved by providing a high quality, two-lane dual carriageway on the A303 trunk road between Amesbury and Berwick Down in Wiltshire. The Scheme would resolve traffic problems and, at the same time, protect and enhance the Stonehenge component of the Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites World Heritage Site, hereafter referred to as the “WHS”. The Scheme would be approximately 8 miles (13km) long and comprise the following key components: a) A northern bypass of Winterbourne Stoke with a viaduct over the River Till valley; b) A new junction between the A303 and A360 to the west of and outside the WHS, replacing the existing Longbarrow roundabout; c) A twin-bore tunnel approximately 2 miles (3.3km) long, past Stonehenge; and d) A new junction between the A303 and A345 at the existing Countess roundabout. 7.1 The Case for the Scheme, October 2018 PAGE I A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down Table of contents Chapter Pages Foreword i Executive Summary V The need for the Scheme V Scheme development and options considered VII The Scheme VII The benefits and opportunities of the Scheme VII The Order land and context IX Policy and legislative considerations IX Conclusion X 1 Introduction 1–1 1.1 Purpose of this Case for the Scheme document 1–1 1.2 The Applicant 1–2 2 The Need for the Scheme 2–1 2.1 Introduction 2–1 2.2 Transport – the problems 2–3 2.3 Economic growth – the problems 2–9 2.4 Heritage – the problems 2–12 2.5 Communities – the problems 2–15 2.6 Environment – the problems 2–18 2.7 Summary of the need for the Scheme 2–19 2.8 Scheme objectives 2–19 3 Scheme development and options considered 3–1 3.1 Introduction 3–1 3.2 Developing the Scheme: option identification and selection process 3–1 4 The Scheme 4–12 4.1 Overview of the Scheme 4–12 5 Scheme benefits and opportunities 5–16 5.1 Scheme benefits and opportunities 5–16 5.2 Transport - benefits and opportunities 5–19 5.3 Economic growth - benefits and opportunities 5–21 5.4 Cultural heritage - benefits and opportunities 5–24 5.5 Communities and environment - benefits and opportunities 5–27 5.6 Delivering the benefits and legacy 5–28 5.7 Scheme benefits and opportunities - summary 5–29 6 Description of the Order land and surrounding context 6–30 6.1 Introduction 6–30 6.2 Location of the Scheme 6–30 6.3 Extent of the Order land 6–30 6.4 Existing land uses and character 6–30 6.5 Ecological designations 6–31 6.6 Heritage designations 6–32 7.1 The Case for the Scheme, October 2018 PAGE II A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down 6.7 Landscape designations 6–33 6.8 Water and flood risk 6–33 6.9 Noise 6–33 6.10 Air quality 6–34 6.11 Administrative areas affected 6–34 6.12 Relevant planning history 6–34 7 Policy and Legislative Considerations 7–35 7.1 Introduction and legislative context 7–35 7.2 International obligations, Secretary of State duties, lawfulness and prescribed conditions 7–36 7.3 Local Impact Report, prescribed matters and other important and relevant matters 7–37 7.4 The National Policy Statement for National Networks (NPSNN) and adverse impacts weighed against benefits 7–39 7.5 Balance of effects 7–41 8 Summary and conclusions 8–46 8.1 Need and Scheme objectives 8–46 8.2 Alternatives, the Scheme and its benefits 8–46 8.3 The Planning Act 2008 8–47 8.4 NPSNN compliance 8–47 8.5 Determination of the application 8–47 9 Glossary 9–49 APPENDIX A – ASSESSMENT OF ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATIONAL POLICY STATEMENT FOR NATIONAL NETWORKS A–1 APPENDIX B - Assessment of conformity with other relevant and important considerations B-1 B.1 Conformity of the Scheme with the National Planning Policy Framework B-2 B.2 Conformity of the Scheme with local planning policy B-2 B.3 Scheme conformity with the Development Plan: Wiltshire Core Strategy B-4 B.4 Scheme conformity with saved policies of the Salisbury District Local Plan B- 13 B.5 Scheme conformity with the Development Plan: Wiltshire and Swindon Waste Core Strategy B-15 B.6 Scheme conformity with emerging Development Plans B-16 B.7 Summary of Development Plan compliance B-16 B.8 Conformity of the Scheme with the Wiltshire Local Transport Plan 3 2011-2026 B-17 B.9 Conformity of the Scheme with relevant tourism policy B-20 B.10 Conformity of the Scheme with relevant waste policy B-22 7.1 The Case for the Scheme, October 2018 PAGE III A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down Executive Summary Introduction This document articulates the case for the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down scheme (the Scheme). It demonstrates that there is a clear and compelling need to address long standing traffic problems, as well as an opportunity to enhance the Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites World Heritage Site (“WHS”). It explains how these have been articulated in the Scheme objectives. It goes on to explain how potential solutions to the need have been given careful consideration over many years. It sets out how the identification, selection and design process has responded to the Scheme objectives, and how a collaborative engagement process has been used to reach the proposed Scheme. The Scheme offers a uniquely effective solution to the two key challenges – congestion on the A303 and the impacts of the road and traffic on the WHS. It will remove a long-standing bottleneck for road users, helping to create a high performing dual carriageway route to the South West, supporting the local and regional economy. With part of the road in a tunnel, the Scheme will also remove a large section of the A303 from the most sensitive part of the WHS, allowing the two parts of the site to be reconnected. The tunnel, deep cuttings and related mitigation measures will reduce visual intrusion and the sound from traffic within the WHS, enhancing its enjoyment and important views within the prehistoric landscape. The Scheme will reduce traffic impacts on Winterbourne Stoke, reduce rat-running in other local settlements, and improve the resilience and safety of this part of the strategic road network. The nature of the Scheme, which is defined as a nationally significant infrastructure project, requires Highways England (the Applicant) to make an application for a Development Consent Order. In setting out the planning balance of the Scheme, any adverse impacts which have been identified are weighed with the benefits and opportunities which the Scheme would provide. A Planning Statement is incorporated within this document which describes the policy framework for the assessment of this Scheme by the Secretary of State, using the Planning Act 2008 (as amended) requirements and the conformity with the National Policy Statement for National Networks primary policy document. The need for the Scheme The A303/A358 corridor provides a strategic link between the M3 in the South East and the M5 in the South West and, as a key part of the Strategic Road Network, is critically important to the economy of the South West peninsula. It is a dual carriageway for most of its length, but is interrupted by sections of single carriageway and at-grade junctions which cause traffic bottlenecks. The A303 between Amesbury and Berwick Down includes the longest remaining single carriageway section on the A303 and carries traffic levels which are often twice its design flow capacity.