To update PINS, please note that the Council continues to discuss with NH the PPA that it is willing to offer with regards to its LTC DCO submission. In the meantime all engagement on the LTC DCO has had to be suspended pending review of budgets through the independent financial review process. We would appreciate PINS guidance on a couple of matters: 1) Please could you clarify whether PINS /ExA is able to legally compel a LA to provide representation (however minimal) through the DCO Examination process and if so if it is minded to do so with Thurrock? We note that Slough appear to be in a similar situation on a DCO and that there has been (unsubstantiated) suggestion that PINS may take legal action to force them to do so. Any explanation you could provide setting out the PINS position on LTC would be most helpful. 2) If the independent commissioners appointed to oversee Council finances determined that Thurrock Council was not able to afford to make effective representation would the DCO process go ahead without the engagement of the most seriously affected Local Authority, and would the Examination process be considered fair and appropriate? 3) Due to the exceptional circumstances, is it possible for the LTC DCO process to be suspended whilst crucial funding matters are considered noting the delays are seriously impeding the Council’s ability to engage in a fair process and conversely advantage to the applicant? How would the Council go about making such a request for a delay?
Thank you for your emails regarding the current situation at Thurrock Council. To answer your questions: The ExA cannot compel anyone to participate in an examination, although it obviously would be advantageous for all host authorities to be actively involved. Legal representation is not a requirement to enable effective participation in an examination, although we can understand that it is considered preferable by the Council. The process is intended to be primarily a written process. The application has been validly made and there is a statutory obligation on the Examining Authority to examine the application within the set timescales and to provide the SoS with the recommendation report. Any request to delay or suspend the DCO process should be submitted formally by Thurrock Council to the ExA including the length of delay sought, reasons to explain the request for delay and the specific length of delay requested, along with how the ability of the Council to participate would be better at the end of the specified term. In making a procedural decision in relation to a request to delay the start of the examination the ExA must keep in mind the wording at paragraph 45 of the Planning Act 2008: Guidance for the examination of applications for development consent. Although it refers to Applicants, we consider it would be equally applicable to any party making such a request. The ExA would need to consider any prejudice that may be caused by either route, and the views of the applicant and other parties may also be sought and considered. Any such request must be from a person(s) who is authorised to make such a request on behalf of the Council.

Thurrock Council - Colin Black

Guidance on Relevant Representations
Please see attached

General - anon.

Guidance on Relevant Representations
Please see attached

General - anon.

General discussion on submission following previous discussion in October 2020.

Thames Crossing Action Group - anon.

Project Meeting Note
Please see attached

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and Kent Cou - anon.

Please see attached.
Please see attached.

National Highways - anon.

Tripartite Meeting Part Two
Please see attached.

National Highways and some Local Authorities - anon.

Tripartite Meeting Part One.
Please see attached.

Some Local Authorities impacted by the scheme - anon.

Please see attached.
Please see attached.

National Highways - anon.

Please see attached.
Please see attached.

National Highways - anon.

Please see attached.
Please see attached.

National Highways - anon.

General discussion of the application and re-submission

Kent County Council - anon.

Please see attached.
Please see attached.

National Highways - anon.

Project Meeting Note
Please see attached.

London Borough of Havering - anon.

Project Meeting Note.
Please see attached.

Gravesham Borough Council - anon.

Project Meeting Note.
Please see attached.

Thurrock Council - anon.

Project Update Meeting.
Please see attached.

Highways England - anon.

Please see attached.
Please see attached.

National Highways - anon.

Please see attached.
Please see attached.

National Highways - anon.

Phone call with Thurrock Council
General discussion of matters relating to LTC, including: • Upcoming consultation • Effect on local road network • Tilbury link road

Thurrock Council

Project Update Meeting.
Please see attached.

Highways England - anon.

Phone call with Thurrock Council
General discussion of matters relating to LTC, namely: • Tilbury Fields, relationship with Tilbury/Thames Freeport Proposals and the delivery of Tilbury Link Road • key traffic modelling • use of s106 agreements in DCO process • progress on issues • progress on Hatch Report Recommendations • Approach to carbon

Thurrock Council – anon - anon.

Project Update Meeting.
Please see attached.

Highways England - anon.

Project Update Meeting.
Please see attached.

Highways England - anon.

Project update meeting.

National Highways - anon.

Project Update Meeting.
Please see attached.

Highways England - anon.

Tripartite meeting between PINS, LTC and some of the LAs impacted by the scheme
Please see attached.

National Highways and various Local Authorities - anon.

Project Update Meeting.
Please see attached.

National Highways - anon.

Project update meeting
Please see attached.

National Highways - anon.

Project Update Meeting
Please see attached.

National Highways - anon.

Project Meeting Update.
Please see attached.

Highways England - anon.

Phone call with Transport for London
To discuss the withdrawal of the application and how the Applicant is working towards resubmission

Transport for London - anon.

Discussion following commencement of the consultation and ahead of the anticipated resubmission, with representatives of Thurrock Council, Gravesham Borough Council, London Borough of Havering, Kent County Council and Essex County Council.
Please see attached meeting note.

Various local authorities - anon.

Project Meeting Update.
Please see attached.

Highways England - anon.

Project Update Meeting.
Please see attached.

Highways England - anon.

Project Update Meeting.
Please see attached.

Highways England - anon.

Discussion following the withdrawal of the first application and ahead of the anticipated consultation, with representatives of Thurrock Council, Gravesham Borough Council, London Borough of Havering and Kent County Council.
Please see attached meeting note.

Various local authorities - anon - anon.

Project Update Meeting
Please see attached.

Highways England - anon.

Project Update Meeting
Please see attached.

Highways England - anon.

Project update meeting.
Please see attached.

Highways England - anon.

Project update meeting.
Please see attached.

Highways England - anon.

Project update meeting.
Please see attached.

Highways England - anon.

Project update meeting
Please see attached meeting note and appended comments in respect of the Applicant's outline Landscape and Environmental Management Plan (oLEMP), Chapter 12 of the Applicant’s document ”1.3 Introduction to the Application” dated October 2020, and Highways England's Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) standards.

Highways England - anon.

Project Update Meeting
Please see attached meeting note

Highways England - anon.

Project update meeting
Please see attached meeting note

Highways England - anon.

Project update meeting with the Applicant
Please see attached meeting note

Highways England - anon.

Project update meeting with the Applicant
Please see attached meeting note

Highways England - anon.

Project update meeting
Please see attached meeting note

Highways England - anon.

Meeting to discuss the withdrawal of the application with representatives of Thurrock Council, Gravesham Borough Council and London Borough of Havering
Please see attached meeting note

Various local authorities - anon.

Meeting with the Applicant following withdrawal of the application
Please see attached meeting note

Highways England - anon.

Please see attached meeting note.
Please see attached meeting note.

Highways England - anon.

Meeting to advise TCAG about the Planning Act 2008 process
Please see attached meeting note

Thames Crossing Action Group (TCAG) - anon.

Project update meeting with the Applicant
Please see attached meeting note

Highways England - anon.

Meeting with Thurrock Council, Kent County Council and Gravesham Borough Council to discuss concerns relating to the consultation process, activities and information for Lower Thames Crossing
Please see attached meeting note

Various local authorities - anon.

Project update meeting with the Applicant
Please see attached meeting note

Highways England - anon.

Please see attached.
Please see attached.

Highways England

Project update meeting with the Applicant
Please see attached meeting note

Highways England - anon.

Project update meeting with the Applicant
Please see attached meeting note

Highways England - anon.

The enquirer addressed their concerns on the Applicant's Supplementary Consultation in light of current COVID19 circumstances by providing the Planning Inspectorate and Thurrock Council their consultation response.
Thank you for your email expressing concerns about the adequacy of the Applicant’s Pre-application consultation in the current unprecedented public health situation. Please accept our apology for the delay in responding. The Planning Inspectorate does not have power to intervene in an applicant’s pre-application programme. The process for applying for a Development Consent Order (DCO) is set out in the Planning Act 2008. The timing of the application is at the discretion of Highways England, the Applicant. As you have concerns about the Applicant’s pre-application consultation, you should contact the Applicant in the first instance to ensure these issues are addressed. If you have contacted the Applicant but you are not satisfied that the Applicant has, or will, address them, the relevant local authority can take account of your comments. I see you have copied Thurrock Council into your consultation response already. For avoidance of doubt, relevant local authorities can consider comments from members of the public relating to consultation when preparing an ‘Adequacy of Consultation Representation’ (AoCR) submission to the Planning Inspectorate (on behalf of the Secretary of State) during the Acceptance period. The Planning Inspectorate must consider any AoCRs received from relevant local authorities when deciding whether or not to accept the application, as required under s55(4)(b) of the Planning Act 2008. It is therefore important to ensure the local authorities are informed of your concerns. Further information about Community Consultation is contained within the attached FAQ document.

Gladys Vellamaa

The enquirer addressed their concerns on the Applicant's Supplementary Consultation in light of current COVID19 circumstances by providing the Planning Inspectorate and various Members of Parliament and local councillors their consultation response.
Dear Mr Windiate Thank you for your email. Please accept our apology for the delay in responding. It appears you have copied the Planning Inspectorate into your response to the Applicant’s pre-application consultation. The Planning Inspectorate is unable to consider representations about the merits of any application until it is accepted for Examination. Further information about the process can be found in the link below to the National Infrastructure Planning website: [attachment 1]. Should the application be accepted for Examination, all the supporting documentation will be published on the project page of the National Infrastructure Planning website: [attachment 2] and parties will have an opportunity to outline their views about the application by registering to become ‘Interested Parties’ (IP). Further information about registering as an IP can be found in the Planning Inspectorate’s ‘Advice Note 8.2: How to register to participate in an Examination’: [attachment 3]. With regard to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, please refer to the Planning Inspectorate’s published guidance which will be updated as the situation develops: [attachment 4]. You may wish to register at the following link to receive email updates on the status of the application: [attachment 5];email= Kind regards

Mr Cyril Windiate

Meeting to discuss Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) related matters
Please see the attached meeting note

Highways England - anon.

Re: LTC Supplementary Consultation 2020 – Coronavirus Measures I fully understand the need for H.E. to Cancel LTC Consultation Public Information Events following Government Advice. However I strongly oppose your decision to go ahead with the Consultation Response deadline as scheduled. I believe this is unfair and does not provide equal opportunity for the public to ensure that they are fully aware of all the implications and impacts of the LTC not only when it is completed, but during the Construction period which is currently estimated to be a minimum of 5 years. Every resident and road user alike should be entitled to personally access all the information available, very importantly including Large Scale Maps, and to obtain immediate answers to any resulting questions before completing the Consultation Response Forms. I believe it is the duty of Highways England to accept the consequences of the Coronavirus in relation to this Supplementary Consultation and Postpone the Consultation and the current Response deadline. I also believe that H.E. should Reschedule all the Public Information Events when it is safe to do so in fairness to the general public. These Events should also be more widely publicized via National and Local: Television, Radio and Newspapers as there is still a large percentage of the population who do not have access to the internet. The Coronavirus has had a worrying affect on many and it is highly likely that the attendance of the Events that went ahead would reflect this. Yours sincerely, Mrs. J.S. Thacker
Dear Mrs Thacker Thank you for your email expressing concerns about the adequacy of the Applicant’s Pre-application consultation in the current unprecedented public health situation. Please accept my apology for the late response. The Planning Inspectorate does not have power to intervene in an applicant’s pre-application programme. The process for applying for a Development Consent Order (DCO) is set out in the Planning Act 2008. The timing of the application is at the discretion of the Applicant. As you have concerns about the Applicant’s pre-application consultation you should contact the Applicant in the first instance to enable them to address the issues. If you have contacted the Applicant but you are not satisfied that the Applicant has, or will, take account of your comments you can make your comments to the relevant local authority. The local authorities can consider your comments as part of their Adequacy of Consultation Representation submission to the Planning Inspectorate (on behalf of the Secretary of State) at the Application Stage of the process. The Planning Inspectorate will consider any adequacy of consultation representations received from the relevant local authorities when deciding whether or not to accept the application, as required under section 55(4)(b) of the Planning Act 2008 (as amended). It is therefore important to ensure the local authorities are informed of your concerns. Further information about Community Consultation can be found here: [attachment 1] As you are aware the proposed application by Highways England is at the Pre-application stage of the Planning Act 2008 process. The Planning Inspectorate is unable to consider representations about the merits of any application until it is accepted for Examination. Further information about the process can be found in the link below to the National Infrastructure Planning website: [attachment 2] Should the application be accepted then the application and all the supporting documentation will be published on the project page of the National Infrastructure Planning website: [attachment 3] The ‘Registration and Relevant Representation form’ will be made available here during the Pre-examination stage and all parties will have an opportunity to outline their views about the project. The appointed Examining Authority will then use these to carry out an initial assessment of principal issues. Further information about registering as an Interested Party can be found in the Planning Inspectorate’s ‘Advice Note 8.2: How to register to participate in an Examination’: [attachment 4] With regard to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, please refer to the Planning Inspectorate’s published guidance which will be updated as the situation develops. [attachment 5] I hope you find the above information helpful. Kind regards

Mrs J.S. Thacker

20th march 2020 I was about to write to you regarding your decision to go ahead with the Supplementary Consultation Response as planned when I received an email advising that Highways England have extended the response date by One Week to the 2nd April. Utterly ridiculous! It was my opinion before and still is, that Highways England made a serious error of judgment to continue with the Consultation process after the necessity of cancelling Public and Mobile Information Events due to the severity of the Coronavirus situation. This is a Major project and everyone is entitled to have the same opportunity to attend the Public Information Events etc. to see the large scale maps of the entire route, and sections of it, and get answers to any questions they might have so that they are aware of the impacts of the LTC during construction and when it is up and running. Proceeding with the Consultation at this time does not offer everyone this choice. Questions and answers online and over the phone are not sufficient. I believe the whole Consultation should be re-run at a future date when the fear of the Coronavirus is over. Sincerely, Mr. J.B. Thacker
Dear Mr Thacker, Thank you for your email expressing concerns about the adequacy of the Applicant’s Pre-application consultation in the current unprecedented public health situation. Please accept my apology for the late response. The Planning Inspectorate does not have power to intervene in an applicant’s pre-application programme. The process for applying for a Development Consent Order (DCO) is set out in the Planning Act 2008. The timing of the application is at the discretion of Highway England, the Applicant. As you have concerns about the Applicant’s pre-application consultation you should contact the Applicant in the first instance to enable them to address the issues. If you have contacted the Applicant but you are not satisfied that the Applicant has, or will, take account of your comments you can make your comments to the relevant local authority. The local authorities can consider your comments as part of their Adequacy of Consultation Representation submission to the Planning Inspectorate (on behalf of the Secretary of State) at the Application Stage of the process. The Planning Inspectorate will consider any adequacy of consultation representations received from the relevant local authorities when deciding whether or not to accept the application, as required under section 55(4)(b) of the Planning Act 2008 (as amended). It is therefore important to ensure the local authorities are informed of your concerns. Further information about Community Consultation can be found here: [attachment 1] As you are aware the proposed application by Highways England is at the Pre-application stage of the Planning Act 2008 process. The Planning Inspectorate is unable to consider representations about the merits of any application until it is accepted for Examination. Further information about the process can be found in the link below to the National Infrastructure Planning website: [attachment 2] Should the application be accepted then the application and all the supporting documentation will be published on the project page of the National Infrastructure Planning website: [attachment 3] The ‘Registration and Relevant Representation form’ will be made available here during the Pre-examination stage and all parties will have an opportunity to outline their views about the project. The appointed Examining Authority will then use these to carry out an initial assessment of principal issues. Further information about registering as an Interested Party can be found in the Planning Inspectorate’s ‘Advice Note 8.2: How to register to participate in an Examination’: [attachment 4] With regard to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, please refer to the Planning Inspectorate’s published guidance which will be updated as the situation develops. [attachment 5] I hope you find the above information helpful. Kind regards

Mr J.B. Thacker

I would like to know if the planning Application for the lower Thames Crossing will be postponed as I have not been able to attend the consultation due to the virus and I was also looking to put forward a formal representation against the lower Thames Crossing and feel that I will now not be able to do this and that highways England will just carry on regardless . Mr S.Brace
Dear Mr Brace, Thank you for your email expressing concerns about the adequacy of the Applicant’s Pre-application consultation in the current unprecedented public health situation. Please accept my apology for the late response. The Planning Inspectorate does not have power to intervene in an applicant’s pre-application programme. The process for applying for a Development Consent Order (DCO) is set out in the Planning Act 2008. The timing of the application is at the discretion of the Applicant. As you have concerns about the Applicant’s pre-application consultation you should contact the Applicant in the first instance to enable them to address the issues. If you have contacted the Applicant but you are not satisfied that the Applicant has, or will, take account of your comments you can make your comments to the relevant local authority. The local authorities can consider your comments as part of their Adequacy of Consultation Representation submission to the Planning Inspectorate (on behalf of the Secretary of State) at the Application Stage of the process. The Planning Inspectorate will consider any adequacy of consultation representations received from the relevant local authorities when deciding whether or not to accept the application, as required under section 55(4)(b) of the Planning Act 2008 (as amended). It is therefore important to ensure the local authorities are informed of your concerns. Further information about Community Consultation can be found here: [attachment 1] As you are aware the proposed application by Highways England is at the Pre-application stage of the Planning Act 2008 process. The Planning Inspectorate is unable to consider representations about the merits of any application until it is accepted for Examination. Further information about the process can be found in the link below to the National Infrastructure Planning website: [attachment 2] Should the application be accepted then the application and all the supporting documentation will be published on the project page of the National Infrastructure Planning website: [attachment 3] The ‘Registration and Relevant Representation form’ will be made available here during the Pre-examination stage and all parties will have an opportunity to outline their views about the project. The appointed Examining Authority will then use these to carry out an initial assessment of principal issues. Further information about registering as an Interested Party can be found in the Planning Inspectorate’s ‘Advice Note 8.2: How to register to participate in an Examination’: [attachment 4] With regard to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, please refer to the Planning Inspectorate’s published guidance which will be updated as the situation develops. [attachment 5] I hope you find the above information helpful. Kind regards

Mr S.Brace

Dear all 1. You cannot end a 'consultation' when everyone's attention is elsewhere. 2. How can the cost of this project be justified when the UK is going to experience huge financial difficulties for years to come? Time to pause, if not cancel, the LTC. Thank you Jane Wooders
Dear Ms Wooders, Thank you for your email expressing concerns about the adequacy of the Applicant’s Pre-application consultation in the current unprecedented public health situation. Please accept my apology for the late response. The Planning Inspectorate does not have power to intervene in an applicant’s pre-application programme. The process for applying for a Development Consent Order (DCO) is set out in the Planning Act 2008. The timing of the application is at the discretion of Highways England, the Applicant. As you have concerns about the Applicant’s pre-application consultation you should contact the Applicant in the first instance to enable them to address the issues. If you have contacted the Applicant but you are not satisfied that the Applicant has, or will, take account of your comments you can make your comments to the relevant local authority. The local authorities can consider your comments as part of their Adequacy of Consultation Representation submission to the Planning Inspectorate (on behalf of the Secretary of State) at the Application Stage of the process. The Planning Inspectorate will consider any adequacy of consultation representations received from the relevant local authorities when deciding whether or not to accept the application, as required under section 55(4)(b) of the Planning Act 2008 (as amended). It is therefore important to ensure the local authorities are informed of your concerns. Further information about Community Consultation can be found here: [attachment 1] As you are aware the proposed application by Highways England is at the Pre-application stage of the Planning Act 2008 process. The Planning Inspectorate is unable to consider representations about the merits of any application until it is accepted for Examination. Further information about the process can be found in the link below to the National Infrastructure Planning website: [attachment 2] Should the application be accepted then the application and all the supporting documentation will be published on the project page of the National Infrastructure Planning website: [attachment 3] The ‘Registration and Relevant Representation form’ will be made available here during the Pre-examination stage and all parties will have an opportunity to outline their views about the project. The appointed Examining Authority will then use these to carry out an initial assessment of principal issues. Further information about registering as an Interested Party can be found in the Planning Inspectorate’s ‘Advice Note 8.2: How to register to participate in an Examination’: [attachment 4] With regard to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, please refer to the Planning Inspectorate’s published guidance which will be updated as the situation develops. [attachment 5] I hope you find the above information helpful. Kind regards

Jane Wooders

Please see attached
Please see attached

Mrs Askew

Project update and draft documents feedback meeting
Please see attached note with appended table of the Inspectorate’s detailed comments at Appendix A

Highways England - anon.

Dear Sir or Madam, This is with respect to the expected DCO application by Highways England and the Lower Thames Crossing. My question is whether our Parish Council can become an Interested Party and that the route to achieve that is to submit a Relevant Representation. The context is that Cobham village is within a Conservation Area, in the immediate proximity of the LTC development (within a 2 mile radius), and with many parts of the parish within the Designated Development Area. The issue of relevance is not to do with land acquisition, but traffic flows through the village and the local impact that would result from higher volumes of traffic due to the LTC development. The local roads are all minor rural roads and unfit for increased traffic volumes and this would be the basis of the representation. Does the Parish Council qualify to apply to be an Interested Party, would that be automatic in this case, or would it be required to submit a Relevant Representation application? Thank you for your help. Kind Regards Tony Rice
Dear Cllr Rice The Parish Council would not be deemed an Interested Party automatically. However, you can register as an Interested Party, following acceptance of the application. If the application is submitted and accepted to proceed to Examination, the Applicant will notify of the period within which people have to register. I hope this information is helpful. Please see the Advice Notes below which may also be of assistance: [attachment 1] [attachment 2] Kind regards

Cllr Tony Rice

A project update meeting took place on 12 December 2019
A note of that meeting is attached.

Highways England - anon.

A project update meeting with the Applicant
Please see the attached note.

Highways England - Tim Wright - anon.

A project update meeting took place on 24th July 2019
A note of that meeting is attached.

Highways England - anon.

Project update meeting with Thurrock Council
Please see the attached meeting note

Thurrock Council - anon.

A project update meeting took place on 20th September 2018
A note of that meeting is attached

Highways England - anon.

A project update meeting took place on 23 October 2017
A note of that meeting is attached.

Highways England - anon.

Project inception meeting
Please see attached meeting note

Highways England - Tim Wright