PRESS RELEASE : A47 Wansford to Sutton development consent decision announced [February 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Transport on 17 February 2023.

On Friday 17 February 2023, the A47 Wansford to Sutton application was granted development consent by the Secretary of State for Transport.

The application involves the dualling of the A47 between the A1 and the dual carriageway section west of Peterborough. The scheme length is approximately 2.5km and creates a new slip road off the A1 south joining the A47 east.

The application was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for consideration by Highways England on 5 July 2021 and accepted for Examination on 2 August 2021.

Following an Examination during which the public, Statutory Consultees and Interested Parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, recommendations were made to the Secretary of State on 11 October 2022.

This is the 123rd Nationally Significant  Infrastructure Project and 48th transport application to have been examined by The Planning Inspectorate within the timescales laid down in the Planning Act 2008.

The Planning Inspectorate’s Chief Executive, Paul Morrison said:

“The Planning Inspectorate has now examined more than 100 nationally significant infrastructure projects since the Planning Act 2008 process was introduced, ensuring local communities have had the opportunity of being involved in the examination of projects that may affect them.

“Local people, the local authority and other interested parties were able to participate in this examination.

“The Examining Authority listened and gave full consideration to all local views and the evidence gathered during the Examination before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State.”

The decision, the recommendation made by the Examining Authority to the Secretary of State for Transport and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its recommendation are publicly available on the project pages of the National Infrastructure Planning website.