fbpx Skip to main content
Discovery Map Map icon
Discovery Map Map icon

SDNPA Chair explains call for judicial review on proposal for A27 at Arundel



SDNPA Chair explains call for judicial review on proposal for A27 at Arundel

June 8, 2018

SDNPA Chair, Margaret Paren, explains why the SDNPA is calling for a judicial review on Highways England’s preferred route.

“Making difficult decisions is never easy. On issues that really impact a community, facts and opinion become mingled and emotions run high. With full awareness of the complexity of the issue, on 24 May the South Downs National Park Authority met to consider the announcement by Highways England of its preferred route, 5a, for the Arundel Bypass. Having heard from public speakers, considered expert legal opinion and discussing in detail, the difficult decision was taken to commence proceedings for a judicial review.

“As I said at the time, this decision was not taken lightly. However, it is incumbent on the National Park Authority to consider how we should achieve our statutory purposes:

  • To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area.
  • To promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park by the public.

“It is these statutory purposes, set by Government in legislation, that must govern our work and inform all of our decisions. It is these statutory purposes that provided a compelling case for us to commence proceedings when we believe, on the evidence available to us, that Highways England have not followed the correct procedure, which was to set out, to the same level of detail, for all options both inside and outside the National Park. In our view this led to them discounting options outside of the National Park too early in the process. Moreover, they have not provided any detail on mitigation and compensation for damage done to the National Park.

“It is not too late for Highways England to get it right and find a solution that delivers benefit to the people of Arundel without damaging the cherished South Downs National Park.”

Read Highways England’s preferred route announcement

–

Paragraph 5.151 of the National Policy Statement on National Networks states that planning permission should be refused for major developments in National Parks except in exceptional circumstances and where it can be demonstrated they are in the public interest. Consideration of these applications should include an assessment of the cost of, and scope for, developing elsewhere outside the National Park; and opportunities to moderate any detrimental effect on the environment, the landscape and recreational opportunities.