A417 Missing Link
As a result of pressure from Gloucestershire MPs, the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps MP, has agreed to a public consultation on preferred Route 30 to go ahead between 27 September – 8 November 2019. Following the consultation, a Development Consent Order (DCO) planning application will be submitted by Highways England.
If this goes to plan, construction could go ahead in late 2021, with a possible 2½ year build plan.
We believe that the design of the option 30 will make this route much safer, reducing accidents and injuries, as well as eliminating the twice daily congestion which will result in lower carbon emissions.
The Cotswold Way National Trail and the Gloucestershire Way will benefit walkers, cyclists and riders, greatly improving the public footpaths. The Green Bridge will create a high-level connection to the National Trail, delivering a new wildlife corridor. A significant number of trees will be planted, to help omit any environmental impacts of the scheme.
We MPs warmly welcome this consultation and hope that it receives a favourable reception so that finally the road can be built.
PUBLIC MEETING
THE COTSWOLDS
FLOOD RESILIENCE
An opportunity for residents of Bledington, South Cerney, Cerney Wick, Siddington, Cirencester, Fairford, Lechlade and Moreton-in-Marsh to hear and ask questions of the continued flood resilience work taking place and to speak with officials from the County and District Councils, Parish Council, Thames Water and the Environment Agency about ongoing issues.
PUBLIC MEETING
Friday 5 March 2021
1030-1245
VIA ZOOM ONLY
Please email Bettertonj@parliament.uk if you wish to participate in the call and also include any questions or concerns you would like to have discussed. I will then forward the Zoom invitation.
Coronavirus - COVID-19
Planning White Papers
I have submitted my responses to the two planning consultations: “Changes to the current planning system’ and “Planning for the future’.
These planning changes are one of the most significant events to affect the Cotswolds since WWII. I think that both papers contain positive proposals, in our case commitments to protect the AONB. The proposal to abolition Section 106 and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) should speed up the planning process and it is important that the money is retained locally so that the infrastructure can be built at the same time as the development.
Too often we see a development being built long before the supporting infrastructure, which I know can cause significant issues for existing residents. The proposals to simplify and speed up local plan-making and retaining neighbourhood plans where possible are welcome, in that design codes can be specified so it should be possible to protect our unique Cotswolds vernacular.
I spoke in the planning backbench business debate on the 8 October and called for a change to the algorithm the Government uses in its planning White Paper which fails to take account of local variations and concentrates all new house building in the south-east and central south of England.
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