Secretary of State makes A63 Castle Street Improvement, Hull Development Consent Order

The Secretary of State for Transport has made a development consent order for the lowering and widening of the A63 dual carriageway in Hull, rejecting the Examining Authority's recommendation to refuse the scheme.  The Inspector conducting the examination concluded that substantial harm to a listed building, the loss of a substantial part of a burial ground and the loss of at grade crossings for pedestrians and cyclists made the scheme unacceptable.

Further details were provided to the Minister, including for the relocation of the listed pub, but whilst the harm was still substantial, the Minister considered that consent should be granted.

Richard Harwood QC appeared at the examination for EPIC (No2) Limited who own the Kingston Retail Park to the immediate south of the A63, part of which would be taken and access disrupted by the scheme.  In response to EPIC's representations, the Examining Authority recommended the removal of temporary possession powers over various plots and the introduction of a variety of protective provisions if the order was made.  Highways England and EPIC subsequently made a settlement agreement which obviated the need for those changes.

Richard Harwood QC was instructed by Paul Thompson of Temple Bright.