What happens next
A decision on the application for a Development Consent Order for Portishead Branch Line - MetroWest Phase 1 was taken on 14 November 2022 and has now been issued.
The period for legal challenge is defined in s118 of the Planning Act 2008. Further information about legal challenge can be found in the letter sent to all Interested Parties accompanying the Secretary of State’s decision and statement of reasons.
If you have any queries about the process please email the Planning Inspectorate at [email protected] or telephone the helpline on 0303 444 5000.
Timeline (74 items)
The Secretary of State has granted development consent for this application. For further information please refer to the following decision documentation:
Planning Inspectorate Notification of Decision Letter (PDF, 119 KB)
Secretary of State Decision Letter (PDF, 167 KB)
Development Consent Order as Made by the Secretary of State (PDF, 2 MB)
Examining Authority’s Recommendation Report (PDF, 7 MB)
Post-examination Submissions Library (PDF, 2 MB)
Habitats Regulations Assessment (PDF, 639 KB)
Regulation 31 Notice (PDF, 119 KB)
The responses to the Secretary of State’s consultation letter of 02 September 2022 (PDF, 160KB) addressed to all Interested Parties have been published.
The Secretary of State has issued a consultation letter (PDF, 160KB) requesting comments from all Interested Parties by Friday 16 September 2022.
The Applicant’s response to the Secretary of State’s minded to approve letter (PDF, 421 KB) dated 19 April 2022 has been published.
The Written Ministerial Statement extending the decision deadline can be viewed here
Portishead Branch Line – MetroWest Phase 1: decision deadline extended – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The Secretary of State for Transport is minded to approve this application subject to further information from the Applicant (and subsequently from Interested Parties).
- Draft Development Consent Order (PDF, 2 MB)
- Draft Habitats Regulation Assessment (PDF, 733 KB)
- Examining Authority’s Recommendation (PDF, 7 MB)
To allow time for the Applicant to submit further information by 30 November 2022 and to allow for consultation on the further information with Interested Parties, the Secretary of State has set a new deadline of 19 February 2023 for the decision on this application. The Secretary of State has asked the Planning Inspectorate to facilitate the consultation process via the project page of the National Infrastructure Planning website.
The responses to the Secretary of State’s further consultation letter addressed to the Applicant (PDF, 264 KB) dated 28 January 2022 have been published.
The Secretary of State’s further consultation letter (PDF, 264 KB) addressed to the Applicant dated 28 January 2022 has been published. The deadline for response is 9 February 2022.
The responses to the Secretary of State’s consultation letter dated originally 24 November and re-issued on 30 November 2021 (PDF, 171 KB) have been published.
Responses to the Secretary of State’s consultation letter dated 09 November 2021 (PDF, 186 KB) have been published.
Please note a new date of 8 December 2021 by which Secretary of State is requesting comments from all interested parties to a further consultation letter (PDF 171KB) dated 24 Nov 2021.
Responses to the Secretary of State’s consultation letter dated 09 November 2021 (PDF, 186 KB) have been published.
The Secretary of State has issued a further consultation letter (PDF 171KB) requesting comments from all interested parties by 1 December 2021.
The Secretary of State for Transport has issued a letter (PDF, 132 KB) requesting further information from North Somerset District Council in relation to its Carbon Budget Assessment. The deadline for any response is 23 November 2021.
The Secretary of State has decided to re-set the statutory deadline for decision on this application to 19 April 2022. For further information, please refer to the written statement laid in Parliament.
Responses to the Secretary of State’s consultation letter dated 21 September 2021 have been published.
The Secretary of State has issued a consultation letter (PDF, 186 KB) requesting comments from all Interested Parties and the Environment Agency by Tuesday 5 October 2021.
Responses to the Secretary of State’s Consultation of 13 August 2021 have been published.
The Secretary of State for Transport has requested comments from the Applicant and Bristol Port Company by 23:59 on 27 August 2021
Responses to the Secretary of State’s Consultation of 26 July 2021 have been published.
The Secretary of State for Transport has requested comments from the Applicant and other Interested Parties by 09 August 2021.
The Examination closed at 23.59 on 19 April 2021. Notification of completion of the Examination (s99) (PDF, 105 KB) has been issued.
The Deadline 7 Submissions alongside Late Deadline 7 Submissions have now been published.
The Deadline 7 Submissions have now been published.
The Examining Authority has recently conducted Unaccompanied Site Inspections on Thursday 15 April – USI3 (PDF, 10 MB) & Friday 16 April – USI4 (PDF, 106 KB). Notes from these visits have been added to the Examination Library.
The Examining Authority has issued a Request for Further Information – Rule 17 (PDF, 169 KB) to The Applicant, the National Trust, National Grid Electricity Transmission, the Bristol Port Company and North Somerset District Council. The ExA requires responses on or before Deadline 7, 14 April 2021.
The Examining Authority has also published its schedule of changes to the draft Development Consent Order (PDF, 181 KB) and the Report on the Implications for European Sites (PDF, 460 KB)
Deadline 6 Submissions including 104 Late Deadline 6 Submissions from the Applicant have now been published.
The recording of Issue Specific Hearing 4 dealing with the draft Development Consent Order (DCO) on 2 March 2021 and the action points (PDF, 114 KB) arising from this hearing have been published.
The recordings of Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 on 3 March 2021 and the action points (PDF, 84 KB) arising from this hearing have been published.
The recordings of Issue Specific Hearing 5 dealing with Environmental Matters on 4 March 2021 and the action points (PDF, 130 KB) arising from this hearing have been published.
Instructions for those wishing to participate in Issue Specific Hearing 5 dealing with Environmental Matters on Thursday 4 March 2021 have been sent.
The Livestream of the Issue Specific Hearing is available for those wishing to observe it in real time. Please note that the ISH will start broadcasting LIVE once it opens at 10am. If the Livestream doesn’t initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the page.
Agenda for the Issue Specific Hearing 5 dealing with Environmental Matters (PDF, 171 KB)
The recording of Issue Specific Hearing 4 dealing with the draft Development Consent Order (DCO) on 2 March 2021 have been published.
Additional submissions submitted to facilitate March Hearings have been published:
Applicant’s response to ETM Contractors Ltd and Manheim Auctions Limited letter of 26 February 2021 (PDF, 561 KB),
Applicant’s response to Mr Tarr’s email of 24 February 2021 (PDF, 309 KB),
Applicant’s response to Ms Gordan’s email of 23 February 2021 (PDF, 285 KB)
Ms Gordan’s response to the Applicants email of 2 March 2021 (PDF, 125 KB)
Instructions for those wishing to participate in Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 on Wednesday 3 March 2021 have been sent.
The Livestream of the Issue Specific Hearing is available for those wishing to observe it in real time. Please note that the ISH will start broadcasting LIVE once it opens at 10am.
If the Livestream doesn’t initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the page.
Agenda for the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 (PDF, 169 KB)
The Examining Authority has used its discretion to accept and consider an Additional Submission from ETM Contractors Ltd and Manheim Auctions Limited (PDF, 959 KB) submitted to facilitate March Hearings.
Instructions for those wishing to participate in Issue Specific Hearing (ISH) 4 on draft Development Consent Order (DCO) on Tuesday 2 March 2021 have been sent.
The Livestream of the ISH is available for those wishing to observe it in real time. Please note that the ISH will start broadcasting LIVE once it opens at 10am.
If the Livestream doesn’t initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the page.
Agenda for the ISH 4 on draft Development Consent Order on Tuesday 2 March 2021 (PDF, 163 KB)
The Examining Authority has used its discretion to accept and consider an Additional Submission from ETM Contractors Ltd and Manheim Auctions Limited (PDF, 959 KB) submitted to facilitate March Hearings.
The Examining Authority has used its discretion to accept and consider two Additional Submissions.
Agendas for the Issue Specific Hearing 4 on draft Development Consent Order on Tuesday 2 March 2021 (PDF, 163 KB), Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 2 on Wednesday 3 March 2021 (PDF, 169 KB) and Issue Specific Hearing 5 on Environmental Matters on Thursday 4 March 2021 (PDF, 171 KB) have been published.
Please note, If you would like to attend any of these hearings, contact the Case Team by 26 Feb 2021 on: [email protected]
Please note, if you would like to attend any of the hearings scheduled for 2-5 March 2021, contact the Case Team on: [email protected]
Notification of March hearings, Procedural Decisions in relation to the Accompanied Site Inspection and the Applicant’s request to make changes to the original application submitted at Deadline 4 (PDF, 262 KB) and The Examining Authority’s Further Written Questions (PDF, 396 KB).
Notification of March hearings, Procedural Decisions in relation to the Accompanied Site Inspection and the Applicant’s request to make changes to the original application submitted at Deadline 4 (PDF, 262 KB) and The Examining Authority’s Further Written Questions (PDF, 396 KB) have been published.
The recordings of Issue Specific Hearing 3 dealing with Environmental Matters on 12 January 2021 and the action points (PDF, 111 KB) arising from this hearing have been published.
The recordings of Issue Specific Hearing 2 dealing with Environmental Matters on 11 January 2021 and the action points (PDF, 113 KB) arising from this hearing have been published.
The recordings of Issue Specific Hearing 2 dealing with Environmental Matters on 11 January 2021 and the action points (PDF, 113 KB) arising from this hearing have been published.
Instructions for those wishing to participate in Issue Specific Hearing 3 on the Environmental Matters on 12 January 2021 have been sent.
The Livestream of the ISH is available for those wishing to observe it in real time. Please note that the ISH will start broadcasting ‘LIVE’ once it opens at 10am.
If the Livestream doesn’t initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the page.
Agenda for the Issue Specific Hearing 3 on Environmental Matters (PDF, 168 KB) on Tuesday 12 January 2021.
Additional submissions from the Applicant submitted to facilitate Issue Specific Hearing 3 have been published: Cover letter (PDF, 101 KB), Bristol Strategic Flood Risk Assessment 2020 (PDF, 2 MB), SFRA Functional Floodplain FZ3B mapping (PDF, 8 MB)
Additional submission from the Environment Agency (PDF, 271 KB) submitted to facilitate Issue Specific hearing 3 has been published
Instructions for those wishing to participate in Issue Specific Hearing 2 on the Environmental Matters on 11 January 2021 have been sent.
The Livestream of the ISH is available for those wishing to observe it in real time. Please note that the ISH will start broadcasting ‘LIVE’ once it opens at 10am.
If the Livestream doesn’t initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the page.
Agenda for the Issue Specific Hearing 2 on Environmental Matters (PDF, 166 KB) on Monday 11 January 2021.
Additional submissions from the Applicant submitted to facilitate Issue Specific hearing 3 have been published : Cover letter (PDF, 101 KB), Bristol Strategic Flood Risk Assessment 2020 (PDF, 2 MB), SFRA Functional Floodplain FZ3B mapping (PDF, 8 MB)
Procedural Decision and Request for further information – Rules 9 & 17 (PDF, 138KB) and Deadline 3 Submissions have now been published.
Agendas for the Issue Specific Hearing 2 (PDF, 166 KB) and Issue Specific Hearing 3 (PDF, 168 KB) both dealing with Environmental Matters on Monday 11 January 2021 and Tuesday 12 January 2021 have been published.
If you would like to attend any of these hearings, contact the Case Team on: [email protected]
Agendas for the Issue Specific Hearing 2 (PDF, 166 KB) and Issue Specific Hearing 3 (PDF, 168 KB) both dealing with Environmental Matters on Monday 11 January 2021 and Tuesday 12 January 2021 have been published.
If you would like to attend any of these hearings, contact the Case Team on: [email protected]
The recording of Compulsory Acquisition Hearing 1 and the action points (PDF, 104 KB) arising from this hearing have been published.
The recording of Issue Specific Hearing 1 into the draft DCO and the action points (PDF, 104 KB) arising from this hearing have been published.
Instructions for those wishing to participate in Issue Specific Hearing 1 on the draft DCO (ISH) on 7 December 2020 have been sent.
The Livestream of ISH is available for those wishing to observe it in real time. Please note that the ISH will start broadcasting ‘LIVE’ once it opens at 10am.
If the Livestream doesn’t initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the page.
Agenda for the Issue Specific Hearing on draft Development Consent Order (PDF, 164 KB) on Monday 7 December 2020.
Instructions for those wishing to participate in the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (CAH) on 4 December 2020 have been sent.
The Livestream of CAH is available for those wishing to observe it in real time. Please note that the CAH will start broadcasting ‘LIVE’ once it opens at 10am.
If the Livestream doesn’t initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the page.
Agendas for the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (PDF, 160 KB) on Friday 4 December 2020 and Issue Specific Hearing on draft Development Consent Order (PDF, 164 KB) on Monday 7 December 2020.
Deadline 2 submissions have been published.
Agendas for the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (PDF, 160 KB) on Friday 4 December 2020 and Issue Specific Hearing on draft Development Consent Order (PDF, 164 KB) on Monday 7 December 2020.
Agendas for the Compulsory Acquisition Hearing (PDF, 160 KB) on Friday 4 December 2020 and Issue Specific Hearing on draft Development Consent Order (PDF, 164 KB) on Monday 7 December 2020 have been published.
Please note, if you would like to attend any of these hearings, contact the Case Team on: [email protected] by Deadline 2 on 23 November 2020.
The Examination Timetable (Rule 8 letter) has been sent to Interested Parties
Procedural decision following Preliminary Meeting
The Examining Authority has used discretion to accept the following representation as an Additional Submission:
North Somerset District Council (PDF, 796 KB)
The Examination Timetable (Rule 8 letter) has been sent to Interested Parties
Procedural decision following Preliminary Meeting
The recordings from the Preliminary Meeting and Open Floor Hearing have been published:
Preliminary Meeting Part 1 – 06 Oct 2020
Preliminary Meeting Part 2 – 19 Oct 2020
Open Floor Hearing – 19 Oct 2020
Instructions for those wishing to participate in the Preliminary Meeting Part 2 (PM) have been sent. The Livestream of PM Part 2 is available for those wishing to observe it in real time. Please note that the PM will start broadcasting ‘LIVE’ once it opens at 2:00PM on Monday 19 October 2020. If the Livestream doesn’t initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the page.
The recording of Preliminary Meeting Part 1 is available here
Instructions for those wishing to participate in the Open Floor Hearing (OFH) have been sent. The Livestream of OFH is available for those wishing to observe it in real time. Please note that the OFH will start broadcasting ‘LIVE’ once it opens at 6.30PM on Monday 19 October 2020. If the Livestream doesn’t initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the page.
The recording of the Preliminary Meeting (Part 1) has been published and added to the Examination Library (PDF, 306 KB).
The Preliminary Meeting (Part 2) and Open Floor Hearing will commence on the 19 October 2020 at 2 PM and 6:30 PM respectively.
Responses to Procedural Deadline B have been published
If you have any questions please contact the case team at : [email protected]
The recording of the Preliminary Meeting (Part 1) has been published and added to the Examination Library (PDF, 306 KB). Any written responses to matters discussed during the Meeting can be submitted by Procedural Deadline B (14 October 2020).
The Preliminary Meeting (Part 2) will commence on the 19 October 2020 at 2 PM. Please let the case team know by procedural Deadline B if you would like to attend/be heard at the Preliminary Meeting Part 2.
Additional Submissions: Following the request from the Examining Authority at the Preliminary Meeting: Part 1 the Applicant has submitted a number of updated application documents which have now been published.
Reminder: The deadline for requests to be heard at the Open Floor Hearing on 19 October 2020 has been extended to Procedural Deadline B on 14 October 2020. If you wish to participate at this hearing, please complete the Open Floor Hearing involvement form
Instructions for those wishing to participate in the Preliminary Meeting (PM) have been sent. The Livestream of PM Part1 is available for those wishing to observe this week in real time.
Please note that the PM will start broadcasting ‘LIVE’ once it opens at 10.00am on Tuesday 6th October 2020. If the Livestream doesn’t initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the page.
We would remind those observing the PM that there is an opportunity to provide any written responses to matters raised at the PM by Procedural Deadline B (14 October 2020).
Response to Documents requested in Rule 6 letter have now been published and added to the Examination Library (PDF, 306 KB).
Instructions for those wishing to participate in the Preliminary Meeting (PM) have been sent. The Livestream of PM Part1 is available for those wishing to observe this week in real time.
Please note that the PM will start broadcasting ‘LIVE’ once it opens at 10.00am on Tuesday 6th October 2020. If the Livestream doesn’t initially work, it may be resolved by refreshing the page.
We would remind those observing the PM that there is an opportunity to provide any written responses to matters raised at the PM by Procedural Deadline B (14 October 2020).
Response to Documents requested in Rule 6 letter have now been published and added to the Examination Library (PDF, 306 KB).
The Examining Authority has recently conducted Unaccompanied Site Inspections (USI1 & USI2). Notes from these visits have been added to the Examination Library .
Applicants response to s51 advice and Additional Submissions submitted as a result of s51 advice have been published.
Responses to the Rule 6 letter at Procedural Deadline A have been published.
Due to limited number of responses, the deadline for requests to be heard at the Open Floor Hearing on 19 October 2020 has been extended to Procedural Deadline B on 14 October 2020. If you wish to participate at this hearing, please complete the Open Floor Hearing involvement form.
Applicants response to s51 advice and Additional Submissions submitted as a result of s51 advice have been published.
Responses to the Rule 6 letter at Procedural Deadline A have been published.
Due to limited number of responses, the deadline for requests to be heard at the Open Floor Hearing on 19 October 2020 has been extended to Procedural Deadline B on 14 October 2020. If you wish to participate at this hearing, please complete the Open Floor Hearing involvement form.
Responses to the Rule 6 letter at Procedural Deadline A have been published.
Due to limited number of responses, the deadline for requests to be heard at the Open Floor Hearing on 19 October 2020 has been extended to Procedural Deadline B on 14 October 2020. If you wish to participate at this hearing, please complete the Open Floor Hearing involvement form.
The agenda for the Open Floor Hearing (PDF, 94kb) scheduled for 19 October 2020 has now been published.
If you wish to participate at this hearing, please complete the Open Floor Hearing involvement form.
Site Availability
This site will be unavailable between 18:00 and 20:00 on Monday 14 September 2020 whilst maintenance work is carried out.
The Rule 6 letter (PDF 712kb) notifying of the Preliminary Meeting (PM) has been issued.
This includes details of the PM, the draft Examination Timetable, notification of an Open Floor Hearing, and other related matters.
Interested Parties wishing to participate in the PM must complete the Preliminary Meeting Involvement Form by Procedural Deadline A (21 September 2020).
Further information is contained in the Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 192kb) document.
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 Examining Authority has used discretion to accept the following representations as Additional Submissions during Pre-examination:
Cotswolds Conservation Board (PDF 283KB) published on 6 August 2020
Peter Kirsen (PDF 118KB) published on 6 August 2020
Burges Salmon LLP on behalf of The Crown Estate (PDF 3MB) published on 6 August 2020
Jonathan Rainey (PDF 71KB) published on 6 August 2020
Cardiff Council (PDF 111KB) published on 12 August 2020
NATS Safeguarding (PDF 4MB) published on 12 August 2020
North Somerset Council (PDF 830KB) published on 12 August 2020
Utility Assets Ltd. (PDF 119KB) published on 12 August 2020
North Somerset Council (PDF 775KB) published on 4 September 2020
The Examining Authority has issued a letter to update Interested Parties on the progress of the application and to request further information, in the form of a Questionnaire, to help seek views regarding future events.
The deadline for Questionnaire responses is 30 July 2020.
Consistent with the Written Ministerial Statement of 13 May 2020, the Examining Authority is considering whether and how virtual events should proceed for this case, including the practical measures needed to ensure fair participation by all. An update will be provided as soon as one is available.
IMPORTANT: As a result of ongoing Government guidance relating to COVID-19 the Planning Inspectorate is seeking to ensure that all Parties are notified of key developments on projects, in a timely manner. In order to help achieve this, and to minimise any delays which could arise if the postal service is affected, it would be extremely helpful if registered Parties that have not already done so could supply us with a contact e-mail address as soon as possible. Please email the project mailbox: [email protected]
This application was received by the Planning Inspectorate on 15 November 2019.
The applicant has agreed that all application documents can be published as
soon as practicable to help everyone become familiar with the detail of what
is being proposed in this application. The Planning Inspectorate will therefore
make the application documents available as soon as practicable.
This provision is solely for the purpose of allowing more time to all those who
wish to become familiar with the detail of what is being proposed ahead of
the relevant representation period without lengthening the overall time
required for the application process. There will be no opportunity at this
stage to make comments on the application. However, if the application is
accepted anyone interested in the application will be able to register and
express their views during the relevant representation stage and the subsequent examination.
