Agenda item

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/20/3) on the Houghton Barton Link Road Scheme (Phases 1 & 2) A382-A383 Connection, attached.

(Councillors Dewhirst, Hannaford, Greenslade and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/20/3) on the Houghton Barton Link Road Scheme (Phases 1 & 2) A382-A383 Connection, the Report being circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

The objectives of the scheme were to relieve pressure on the existing road network, particularly Highweek Village and to unlock development at Houghton Barton and Forches Cross.

The Report sought approval to enable legal agreements to be signed, tenders to be issued and a contract to be awarded to proceed with the construction of Phases 1 & 2 of the Houghton Barton Link Road scheme connecting the A382 to the A383 to the west of Newton Abbot.  Phase 1 was between Forches Cross and Perry Cross and Phase 2 between Perry Cross and Howton Road. This included a 7.3 metre carriageway, 2 metre footway and 3 metre shared use path between the A382 north of Forches Cross and Perry Cross; a new priority junction on the A382; and a 6 metre carriageway and 3 metre shared use path between Perry Cross and Howton Road.

Phase 3, between Howton Road and the A383, was expected to be delivered by developers. Phase 4 was included in the A382 Corridor Improvement scheme and would provide an upgraded roundabout junction of the link road with the A382. The scheme facilitated residential development at Houghton Barton, employment development at Forches Cross, improved the resilience of the local road network and complemented improvements to the A382 which were already underway.

A location plan was shown in Appendix 1 to the Report. However, Houghton Barton covered 160 hectares of land to the west of Newton Abbot and the site was enclosed by the A382, A383 and A38. The area had been allocated for a mix of residential and employment development, including a new local centre, shops and school, as part of the adopted Teignbridge Local Plan. The creation of a vehicular route connecting the A382 and A383 was a requirement of the Local Plan policy NA1 Houghton Barton.

A number of options were considered relating to improvements to the highway to the west of Newton Abbot including upgrading the A383 junction on the A38, increasing capacity through Highweek, widening existing lanes between the A382 and A383 and a new road connecting the A382 and A383.  The conclusion was that the Houghton Barton Link was the most appropriate scheme to meet the objectives and provide transport and economic benefits.

The Report outlined the various consultations including that on the Development Framework Plan (DFP) (Teignbridge District Council) which provided detailed and relevant planning guidance for the Houghton Barton development and a statutory consultation as part of the planning permission process in 2019, as well as with the Highweek Residents Association.

The estimated scheme cost of Phases 1 & 2 of the Houghton Barton Link Road was £7.4 millions which included detailed design, development and delivery of the planning application and discharging associated conditions, land acquisition, Statutory Undertakers works, advance works, scheme construction, supervision and contingency. The funding breakdown was shown in full in the table at section 6 of the Report.

For the planning application, environmental considerations for the whole scheme had been assessed through an Environmental Impact Assessment. The scheme had been designed to minimise land-take of key habitats, maintain habitat connectivity and replace any lost key habitat, therefore there was no significant adverse effects on biodiversity. There would be some short-term adverse impact on landscape character, however these would be minimised by mitigation planting providing screening. In terms of road traffic noise, a small number of properties close to the scheme could be adversely affected, however acoustic fencing would be provided where required. Changes in air pollution levels were expected to be neutral.

The scheme, however, would lead to positive social impacts by reducing traffic through Highweek, improved journey time reliability and safety and improved access to and from Newton Abbot. The scheme also included segregated pedestrian and cycle facilities along the length of the road.

The Heads of Service’s Report contained a link to the full Impact Assessment at: https://www.devon.gov.uk/impact/houghton-barton-link-road/, which Members considered, also noting that a monitoring and evaluation plan had been produced as part of the Business Case which would review the impact of the scheme in 1 year and then 5 years after opening.

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability (including carbon impact), risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service’s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:

it was MOVED by Councillor Davis, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and

RESOLVED that subject to appropriate funding agreements, legal agreements, land assembly agreements and planning submissions being completed:

(a) DCC enter into highway agreements with the relevant parties to deliver the Houghton Barton Link Road (Phase 2) scheme and legal agreements to secure the land and minerals in respect of the Houghton Barton Link Road (Phases 1 & 2) scheme;

(b) DCC underwrites £1.25 millions of the proposed developer contribution, subject to a signed Unilateral Undertaking, in advance of this being paid by the developer by a planning agreement subject to planning permission;

(c) the scheme layout shown on drawing B11004/27 (attached to the report at Appendix 2) be approved for tender and construction;

(d) the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, be given delegated authority to award the construction contract for Phases 1 & 2 of the Houghton Barton Link Road Scheme subject to the overall scheme cost being within a cost envelope of £7.4 millions; and

(e) the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member and Local Member, be given delegated authority to make minor amendments to the scheme design.

(The Impact Assessment can be found here https://www.devon.gov.uk/impact/houghton-barton-link-road/)