Stansted G2 Inquiry
Statement of Matters - called in applications
The matters set out below above comprise the statement under Rule 9(2)(a)(ii) of the 2005 Rules on the matters about which the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government particularly wishes to be informed for the purposes of her consideration of the applications that have been called in.
"On the information so far available to the Secretary of State, the following are matters which the Secretary of State particularly wishes to be informed about for the purposes of her consideration of the applications:
The extent to which the proposed development is in accordance with the development plan for the area, having regard in particular to the Regional Spatial Strategy for the Region.
Whether there are local environmental considerations that would outweigh the policy support for a second runway set out in the Air Transport White Paper and in particular:
i) The extent to which the proposed development is consistent with Government policies in Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development (PPS1), the accompanying guidance, The Planning System: General Principles and the accompanying supplement, Planning and Climate Change with particular regard to the prudent use of natural resources, the impact on the environment with regard to energy use and emissions, and the maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.
ii) The extent to which the proposal is consistent with Government policies in Planning Policy Guidance 4: Industrial and Commercial Development and Small Firms (PPG4) and the emerging Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Development (PPS4), with particular regard to:
a) high quality development and inclusive design
b) avoiding adverse impacts on the environment, but where these are unavoidable, providing mitigation
c) shaping travel demand by promoting sustainable travel choices wherever possible.
iii) The extent to which the proposal is consistent with Government policies in Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation (PPS9), with particular regard to:
a) the extent to which the proposed development is likely to have an impact on the local flora and fauna and any designated sites
b) whether or not there is likely to be any impact on a European protected species listed in the Habitats Directive
c) whether there is likely to be any impact on species protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 or any other legislation.
iv) The extent to which the proposal is consistent with Government policies in Planning Policy Guidance Note 13: Transport (PPG13), in particular:
a) on the need to locate development in a way which helps to:
• promote more sustainable transport choices
• promote accessibility to jobs and services by public transport, walking and cycling; and
• reduce the need to travel, especially by carb) whether the proposal complies with local car parking standards and the advice in paragraphs 52 to 56 of PPG13
c) the adequacy of the road network to safely accommodate increased traffic
d) the adequacy of rail and coach provision.
v) The extent to which the proposal is consistent with Government policies in Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment (PPG15) with particular regard to:
a) the desirability of preserving the listed buildings of: Carters Farm; Yew Tree Cottage; the Three Horseshoes Public House; Waltham Hall; the Cart Lodge at Waltham Hall; the Nine Bay Barn at Waltham Hall; the Barn at Waltham Hall; the Barn to the west of Waltham Hall; the Granary at Waltham Hall; Little Grange; The Grange; the Granary to east of The Grange; the Three Bay Cart Lodge to east of The Grange or their setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which they possess, and the advice on the demolition of listed buildings set out in paragraphs 3.5 and 3.16 – 3.19 of PPG15
b) the appropriateness of the proposed reconstruction of some of these buildings
c) the impact of the proposed development on the character and integrity of the historic landscape and environment of north-west Essex and the surrounding area and the adequacy of the approach proposed to mitigating the effect of the development on this landscape.
vi) The extent to which the proposal is consistent with Government policies in Planning Policy Guidance Note 16: Archaeology and Planning (PPG16), with particular regard to:
a) the adequacy of any assessment and field evaluation to determine the character and extent of archaeological remains and the options for minimizing or avoiding damage;
b) having regard to the assessment and field evaluation, whether the physical preservation in situ of archaeological remains is justified, taking into account the presumption in favour of the physical preservation of nationally important archaeological remains and their settings;
c) where the physical preservation in situ of archaeological remains is not considered justified in the circumstances of the case and development resulting in the destruction of the archaeological remains should proceed, whether appropriate and satisfactory provision can be made for the excavation and recording of the remains;
d) the desirability of preserving the scheduled ancient monuments at The Grange and at Waltham Hall or their setting or any features of special architectural or historic interest which they possess.
vii) The extent to which the proposal is consistent with Government policies in Planning Policy Statement 23: Planning and Pollution Control (PPS23), with particular regard to:
a) the extent to which any increase in the level of air pollution could be damaging to local flora, especially at Hatfield Forest and Eastend Wood Sites of Special Scientific Interest,
b) the effect of air pollution on the overall health of the population.
viii) The extent to which the proposal is consistent with Government policies in Planning Policy Guidance Note 24: Planning and Noise (PPG24), with particular regard to the detailed guidance on the assessment of noise from different sources in paragraphs 1 and 6 – 12 of Annex 3, and whether any increase in noise would be harmful to the living conditions and health of local residents and to their quality of life.
Whether any permission granted for the proposed development should be subject to any conditions and, if so, the form these should take, having regard to the advice in DOE Circular 11/95, and in particular the tests in paragraph 14 of the Annex.
Whether any other consents granted for the proposed works should be subject to any conditions and, if so, the form these should take.
Whether any planning permission granted should be accompanied by any planning obligations under Section 106 of the 1990 Act and, if so, whether the proposed terms of such obligations are acceptable.
Any other matters that the Inspector considers relevant."
