The development consent is for a rail enhancement to create capacity along the single track to Redditch by the construction of a ‘dynamic loop’, consisting of approximately 3km of double track and 2 connections to the original track, allowing trains to pass one another.

The decision announced today follows an examination process by the Planning Inspectorate which was completed ahead of the statutory timescales laid down in the Planning Act 2008.

The application was submitted by Network Rail for consideration on 4 September 2012 and accepted for examination on 1 October 2012.

Following the examination, where interested parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, a recommendation was made to the Secretary of State for Transport on 2 August 2013.

The Planning Inspectorate’s Chief Executive, Sir Michael Pitt, said:
“A major priority for us over the course of the examination was to ensure that communities who might be affected by this proposal had the opportunity to put forward their views. As always, the Examining Authority gave careful consideration to these before reaching a conclusion.

“The examination of the application was completed within the timescales prescribed in the Planning Act and a recommendation made to the Secretary of State for Transport. Today’s decision supports that recommendation.”

Documentation, including the decision, the recommendation made to the Secretary of State and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its decision, is publicly available on the Redditch Branch Enhancement Scheme page.

Ends

Notes to editors:

1. Journalists requiring further information should contact the Planning
   Inspectorate Press Office, on: 0303 444 5004 or 0303 444 5005 or email:
   pressoffice@pins.gsi.gov.uk

2. From April 2012, the relevant Secretary of State became the decision maker on all national infrastructure applications for development consent. At the end of the examination of an application, which will still be completed within a maximum of six months, the Planning Inspectorate will have three months to make a recommendation to the relevant Secretary of State who will then have a further three months to reach their decision. The National Infrastructure Process

3. The Planning Inspectorate, National Infrastructure Programme of Projects details the proposals which are anticipated to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate as applications in the coming months.

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