Public Access alert,
Whilst using PublicAccess is the quickest way to get your comments logged against an application, if, for some reason PublicAccess is not available, you can email planning.reps@gravesham.gov.uk with your comments and name and address.
Major projects and developments
6. Lower Thames Crossing
Development Consent Order Application submitted and withdrawn
On 23 October 2020 Highways England submitted its Development Consent Order application for the Lower Thames Crossing to the Planning Inspectorate.
On 6 November the Borough Council submitted to the Planning Inspectorate its views on the Adequacy of Consultation, which is about whether the correct processes have been followed and adequate information made available.
The Council’s response (with appendices):
- Gravesham Adequacy of Consultation response
- Appendix 1: Responses Received on Adequacy of Consultation
- Appendix 1a: Thames Crossing Action Group response
- Appendix 2: Gravesham Statement of Community Consultation Response (2018)
- Appendix 3: Comments on Preliminary Environmental Impact Report
Note this includes views made to the Borough Council, but their inclusion does not necessarily imply agreement with them
On 20 November Highways England withdrew their application in response to comment made by the Planning Inspectorate. See our news page for a joint Gravesham and Thurrock press release.
For further information see the National Planning Infrastructure website:
- Main Lower Thames Crossing page
- Advice from PINS (so called section 51 advice) mainly in the form of meeting notes
- Supporting documents
Highways England is expecting to resubmit the application in the New Year.
Below is summary information on the previous stages in the process after the Secretary of State for Transport’s preferred route announcement on 12 April 2017.
Design Refinement Consultation
Highways England held a Design Refinement Consultation on this scheme from 14 July to 12 August 2020.
Details can be found on the Highways England website. Due to COVID-19 restrictions this was an on-line consultation only.
The Borough Council prepared and submitted its own response which can be read below:
GBC Design Refinement Consultation response
Supplementary Consultation
Highways England held a Supplementary Consultation on this scheme from 29 January to 2 April 2020.
The Borough Councils response is below:
- Cabinet Report
- Appendix 2: Red line plan
- Appendix 3: Questionnaire response
- Appendix 4: Appraisal
- Appendix 4: Annex
Interim Report and Information Event
Highways England have issued an interim report summarising some of the findings of the Statutory Consultation they held last autumn to which they had 28,493 responses
A Project Update report and a separate Executive summary of the Statutory consultation can be found on the Highways England Project Update page.
The submission of the Development Consent Order (DCO – formal application for permission) has been put back to Summer 2020.
Ground investigations are taking place down the east side of Gravesend (including in the river) and along the A2 towards Strood. Details can be found on the Highways England ground investigation page of their website.
Statutory Consultation
Highways England held a Statutory Consultation on its more detailed proposals and the Preliminary Environmental Impact Report from October to December 2018.
- Highway England latest proposals and reports
- Highways England website
- Latest Development Boundary ('Red Line')
The Borough Council’s response was approved by Council on 18 December 2018
As a result of discussions with Councillors the recommendations were amended and minor changes made to the report for submission, the documents submitted can be found below:
- Draft Minute of Council
- Council Report as amended, appendices 1,2 & 3
- Appendix 4 Appraisal
- Lower Thames Crossing Annexes 1-7 Technical Assessment
