What happens next
Dates for the Examination can be viewed on the Examination Timetable page.
Notice of the Procedural Decision has been issued by the Examining Authority to Interested Parties in the Rule 8 letter; this includes information about how the Examination will be conducted and the Examination Timetable as currently set out.
12/07/2023 - Deadline for close of examination. See the Examination Timetable for further information.If you have a legal interest in land affected by a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project and:
- have not been identified by the Applicant; and
- did not register to become an Interested Party;
then you can make a request to the Examining Authority to become an Interested Party under s102A of the Planning Act 2008.
Timeline (52 items)

The Applicants notification of June 2023 Hearings (PDF, 142KB) has been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 734KB) has been updated

The Examining Authority’s notification of Issue Specific Hearing (ISH5) and Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (CAH3) (PDF, 164KB) has been published
The Examination Library (PDF, 734KB) has been updated.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from Lynfield Properties Limited (PDF, 206 KB)
The Examination Library (PDF, 734 KB) has been updated.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission between Messing and Inworth Action Group Limited and Messing-cum Inworth Parish Council and the Applicant (PDF, 317KB)
The Examination Library (733 KB) has been updated

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from Messing and Inworth Action Group Limited and Messing-cum-Inworth Parish Council (PDF, 12MB).
The Examination Library (PDF, 734KB) has been updated.

The Examining Authority’s Third Written Questions (ExQ3) (PDF, 242 KB) have been published. The deadline for responses is 12 June 2023.
The Examining Authority’s commentary on the draft Development Consent Order (PDF, 219 KB), has also been published.
The Examination Timetable for the application for Development Consent for the A12 Chelmsford to A120 Widening Scheme made provision for the Examining Authority to issue a ‘Report on the Implications for European Sites (RIES) and any associated questions (if required)’ on Monday 22 May 2023. The Examining Authority has decided not to issue such a RIES and any associated questions as part of this Examination.
The Examination Library (731 KB) has been updated.

The Examining Authority have decided to accept the following section 102a requests to become an Interested Party:
- Allie Webster (PDF, 108KB)
- Essex Area Ramblers (PDF, 189KB)
The Examination Library (PDF, 731KB) has been updated.

In order to correct an error identified in some of the Deadline 1 submissions in the Examination Library, submission REP1-039 has been renamed REP1-038a. This has enabled representations REP1-040 to REP1-074 to be corrected and are now shown as originally published.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Deadline 5 submissions have been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 730 KB) has been updated.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept Additional Submission from Colchester Cycling Campaign (PDF, 766KB).
The Examination Library (PDF, 694KB) has been updated

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from Addleshaw Goddard LLP on behalf of Network Rail Infrastructure Limited (PDF, 128KB). This submission forms part 2 of their Deadline 2 submission (PDF, 670 KB).
The Examination Library (PDF, 693KB) has been updated.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept Additional Submissions from:
- John Holt (PDF, 3MB)
- Keith Lomax (PDF, 984KB)
- Ronald Elliston (PDF, 94KB)
- Allan Baker (PDF, 95KB)
- Brenda Freeman (PDF, 153KB)
- John Holt (PDF, 10MB)
- Essex County Council (PDF, 2MB)
- National Highways (PDF, 720KB)
The Examination Library (PDF, 247 KB) has been updated

The recordings and transcripts of Issue Specific Hearing 3, Issue Specific Hearing 4, and the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 have been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 687KB) has been updated.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from Additional Submission from National Highways (PDF, 854 KB), which requests responses from any Interested Parties by Deadline 5, 23:59 on Wednesday 10 May 2023.
The Examination Library (601 KB) has been updated

Instructions have been sent to those who have registered to participate in the hearing beginning Wednesday 26 April 2023. Anyone who wishes to observe the hearings in real time should use the following link: https://www.liveeventstream.online/planning-inspectorate-hearings/a12-chelmsford-a120
Note that the events will start broadcasting LIVE when opened by the Examining Authority. If the Livestream does not initially work it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage.
The detailed agenda for the Issue Specific Hearing 3 (ISH3) (PDF, 131 KB), Issue Specific Hearing 4 (ISH4) (PDF, 125 KB) and Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 (CAH2) (PDF, 130 KB) has been published.
The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submissions from National Highways (PDF, 4 MB) and Network Rail Infrastructure Limited (PDF, 58 KB)
The Examination Library (PDF, 601 KB) has been updated.

Instructions have been sent to those who have registered to participate in the hearing beginning Wednesday 26 April 2023. Anyone who wishes to observe the hearings in real time should use the following link: https://www.liveeventstream.online/planning-inspectorate-hearings/a12-chelmsford-a120
Note that the events will start broadcasting LIVE when opened by the Examining Authority. If the Livestream does not initially work it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage.
The detailed agenda for the Issue Specific Hearing 3 (ISH3) (PDF, 131 KB), Issue Specific Hearing 4 (ISH4) (PDF, 125 KB) and Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 (CAH2) (PDF, 130 KB) has been published.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept Additional Submissions from Rt Hon. Priti Patel MP (PDF, 516 KB).
The Examination Library (PDF, 671 KB) has been updated.

The Examining Authority’s Agendas have been published for Issue Specific Hearing 3 (ISH3) (PDF, 131KB), Issue Specific Hearing 4 (ISH4) (PDF, 125KB) and Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 (CAH2) (PDF, 130KB).
The Examination Library (PDF, 669KB) has been updated accordingly.

Deadline 4 submissions have been published
The Examination Library will be updated shortly.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission from Mr and Mrs Allen (PDF, 777KB).
The Examination Library (PDF, 601 KB) has been updated

The Examining Authority has issued a High level Agenda for Issue Specific Hearing 3 (PDF, 113KB), which will commence on 26 April 2023. More detailed agendas for the Issue Specific Hearing 3, Issue Specific Hearing 4 and Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 will be published in advance of the hearings.
The Examining Authority has also issued a response to the Applicant’s notice of intention to make changes to the application (PDF, 141KB). Please note that this letter does not indicate that the proposed change has been accepted by the ExA.
The Examination Library (PDF, 628KB) has been updated.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission (PDF, 279kb) from the Applicant, which includes a request to make changes to the Development Consent Order application.
This Additional Submission corrects a minor typographical issue identified in the Change Notification (PDF, 282kb) received on 30 March 2023.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission (PDF, 293kb) from the Applicant, which includes a request to make changes to the Development Consent Order application.
This Additional Submission corrects a minor typographical issue identified in the Change Notification (PDF, 279kb) received on 31 March 2023.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept an Additional Submission (PDF, 282KB) from the Applicant, which includes a request to make changes to the Development Consent Order application (PDF, 2 MB).
Please note that the publication of the Applicant’s Notification of Upcoming Change Request letter and the supplementary information referred to therein does not indicate that the proposed change has been accepted for examination by the Examining Authority.

The Examining Authority’s notification of Issue Specific Hearing (ISH3) and Issue Specific Hearing (ISH4) and the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (CAH2) (PDF, 163KB) has been published
The Examination Library (PDF, 636KB) has been updated.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept Additional Submissions from Louise Debenham (PDF, 2 MB).
The Examination Library (PDF, 625KB) has been updated.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept Additional Submissions from John Holt (PDF, 2 MB).
The Examination Library (PDF, 624 KB) has been updated.

The Examining Authority’s Second Written Questions (ExQ2) (PDF, 249 KB) have been published. The Deadline for responses is 11 April 2023.
The Examination Library (PDF, 624 KB) has been updated.

The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept Additional Submissions from:
- Colchester Cycling Campaign (PDF, 3 MB)
- Essex Ramblers Association (PDF, 877 KB)
- Essex Ramblers Association (PDF, 419 KB)

The Deadline 3 submissions have been published.
The Examination Library will be updated shortly.

The recordings and transcripts of Issue Specific Hearing 1, Issue Specific Hearing 2, and the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 have been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 572 KB) has been updated.

The agenda items to be covered during Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (CAH1) and Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 (CAH2) have been examined during Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 (CAH 1).
Given that the agenda has been completed, the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 (CAH2) scheduled for Friday 3 March has been cancelled.

Instructions have been sent to those who have registered to participate in this week’s upcoming hearings beginning Tuesday 28 February 2023
Anyone who wishes to observe the hearings in real time should use the following link https://www.liveeventstream.online/planning-inspectorate-hearings/a12-chelmsford-a120
Note that the events will start broadcasting LIVE when opened by the Examining Authority. If the Livestream does not initially work it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage.
The detailed agenda for the Issue Specific Hearing (ISH1) (PDF, 173 KB), Issue Specific Hearing (ISH2) (PDF, 135 KB) and Compulsory Acquisition Hearings (PDF, 148 KB) has been published. The agenda includes a list of documents that may be referred to.

The Examining Authority’s Agendas have been published for Issue Specific Hearing (ISH1) (PDF, 173 KB), Issue Specific Hearing (ISH2) (PDF, 135 KB) and Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (PDF, 148 KB). The Agendas includes a list of the documents that may be referred to during the hearing.
In addition Deadline 2 Submissions and the Examining Authority’s final itinerary (PDF, 155 KB), for the Accompanied Site Inspection 1 (ASI 1) – Thursday 2 March 2023 has been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 548 KB) has been updated accordingly.

Deadline 1 submissions have been published.
A Procedural Decision by the Examining Authority (PDF, 146 KB) has been published regarding Changes to the Applicant’s Notice Period for Forthcoming Hearings.
The Examination Library (PDF, 464 KB) has been updated.

The Examining Authority’s notification of an Accompanied Site Inspection (ASI) and Hearings (PDF, 255 KB) has been published.
The Examination Library (PDF, 410 KB) has been updated.

The following documents have been published:
- The Examination Timetable (Rule 8 letter) (PDF, 285 KB)
- The Examining Authority’s First Written Questions (PDF, 325 KB)
The Deadline for responses is Monday 13 February 2023
- Unaccompanied Site Inspection Note (PDF, 106 KB)
- Preliminary Meeting Note (PDF, 521 KB)
- The recordings of the Preliminary Meeting and Open Floor Hearings
The Examination Library (PDF, 404 KB) has been updated.

The Examination Timetable (Rule 8 letter) has been sent to Interested Parties
Procedural decision following Preliminary Meeting

- Preliminary Meeting takes place
- Examination begins

Instructions have been sent to those who have registered to participate in the Preliminary Meeting (PM) and Open Floor Hearings scheduled for Thursday 12 January 2023.
Anyone who wishes to observe the events in real time should use the following link https://www.liveeventstream.online/planning-inspectorate-hearings/a12-chelmsford-a120
Please note that the event will start broadcasting LIVE when opened by the Examining Authority. If the Livestream does not initially work it may be resolved by refreshing the webpage.
We would remind those observing the PM that there is an opportunity to provide any written responses to matters raised at the PM by Deadline 1 Monday 30 January.
The Examining Authority has exercised its discretion to accept Additional Submissions from:
- John Spence (PDF, 105KB)
- Mark East (PDF, 1MB)
- Roger Wacey (PDF 150KB)
The Examination Library (PDF, 399 KB) has been updated

Procedural Deadline A submissions have been published.
The Examination Library will be updated shortly

The invitation to the Preliminary meeting, which includes the draft Examination Timetable and Initial Assessment of Principal Issues, has been issued.
Registration to attend the Preliminary meeting and Open Floor Hearings is now open. The deadline is 3 January 2023. For information on the events please see Advice note 8.3 and 8.5

The notification of Preliminary Meeting (Rule 6 letter) has been sent Read the letter
The letter also includes the draft Examination Timetable and Initial Assessment of Principal Issues.

The following documents have been published to the website.
Due to a postal service delay the following Relevant Representations have been added to the website:
Kelvedon and Feering Heritage Society
Anthony Fuller
A12 Villagers Traffic Action Group (A12VTAG)
Attachments have been added to these Relevant Representations:
Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner for Essex
WSP on behalf of The Crown Estate
Stanfords on behalf of J A Bunting & Sons
Lord Rayleigh’s Farms Ltd
The Honourable John Frederick Strutt
These submissions have been accepted by the ExA for:
DWD LLP on behalf Countryside Zest (Beaulieu Park)
Colchester Model Car Club
Mr and Mrs AJ Carter

The Applicant has informed the Planning Inspectorate that some persons with a legal interest in the land affected by the Proposed Development were not notified of the accepted application. The Applicant notified the omitted persons on 25 October 2022, and provided further time for them to register and comment on the scheme. Anyone who has received the Applicant’s notification and would like to make register and comment on the scheme should do so by 28 November 2022. Please contact [email protected] or telephone 0303 444 5000.
A document has been attached to the Relevant Representations for <Lord Rayleigh’s Farm Ltd> and <The Honourable John Frederick Strutt>.


The Applicant has informed the Planning Inspectorate that some persons with a legal interest in the land affected by the Proposed Development were not notified of the accepted application. The Applicant notified the omitted persons on 25 October 2022, and provided further time for them to register and comment on the scheme. Anyone who has received the Applicant’s notification and would like to make register and comment on the scheme should do so by 28 November 2022. Please contact [email protected] or telephone 0303 444 5000.



