Stopping Up and Diversion of Highways Order Application, Town and Country Planning Act 1990

On 11 March 2008 BAA submitted to Uttlesford District Council four planning applications for the second runway project.  One of those planning applications related to the construction of replacement roads that are required as a result of some local roads and other rights of way which cross the second runway site needing to be stopped up and diverted. The re-provision of these local roads and other public rights of way will allow existing connections between communities and facilities to be maintained.

The Planning Application for the construction of local roads is one part of the process. However, the power to stop up and divert “highways”, a term which for this purpose encompasses vehicular roads, footpaths, cycleways, bridleways and byways, is provided by the Secretary of State upon confirmation of a Stopping up and Diversion Order.  BAA’s applications for the stopping up and diversion of the roads and rights of way in relation to the second runway project were made on 27 March 2008, to the Government Office for the North East which is the Government Office responsible for administering Stopping up and Diversion Orders.

The strategy devised by BAA, following extensive public consultation, for the stopping up and diversion of the roads and other rights of way is set out in section 8 of the Transport Assessment (Volume 14 of the Second Runway Airport Project Environmental Statement) and the likely significant environmental effects of the construction of the replacement local roads as development that requires planning permission are set out, where relevant, in each of the Volumes of the Second Runway Airport Project Environmental Statement.

The acquisition of land to enable the replacement roads and other rights of way may require the use of compulsory purchase powers and a draft Compulsory Purchase Order will be submitted to the Secretary of State in due course. Landowners and occupiers who would be affected by such acquisition have already been contacted directly by BAA. The Applications for the stopping up and diversion of the roads and rights of way in relation to the second runway project will be considered by the Government Office and published by it in due course.

The Applications will be also advertised by the Government Office in at least one local newspaper circulating in the area and copies of the draft Orders and related plans will be placed on deposit at named locations in the area so that interested persons will be able to inspect the draft Orders and related plans.  The Government Office will also notify how and when it may receive any objections to the draft Orders from affected parties and the timescale within which any objections may be made.  In due course, the Government Office will determine whether an Inquiry into objections to the draft Orders is necessary.