Decision details

Reason for the decision

Approval to use of compulsory purchase to secure the land and rights required for the scheme and to give programme certainty.

Background

 The proposed A28 Sturry Link Road is a key element of new highway infrastructure that will link with development roads that together will support the consented development of 1,150 new homes at Sturry/Broad Oak. The scheme received planning consent in September 2021.

The next critical stage is for land assembly.  Negotiations have commenced and it is hoped that all land can be achieved by voluntary agreement.  However, a compulsory purchase order needs to be progressed in parallel to ensure all land can be secured and to give programme certainty for a target start of construction during 2025. 

Options (other options considered but discarded)

The CPO is a backstop to ensure the programme can be completed. Delays will cause additional costs.

How the proposed decision supports Framing Kent’s Future 2022-2026

The scheme supports Priority 2: Infrastructure for communities: Transport and connectivity are vital to ensuring a good quality of life for Kent’s residents, impacting accessibility of employment, education, health provision and leisure.

As Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport I give approval to:

i)             all acts required to acquire the land and rights for the carrying out and completion of the A28 Sturry Link Road scheme, including by means of a compulsory purchase order;

ii)            all acts required to provide new, or improved highways including the closure of private means of access for the carrying out and completion of the A28 Sturry Link Road scheme, including by means of a side roads order;

iii)           give delegation to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport to take relevant actions including but not limited to entering into contracts and other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision; and

iv)           confirm that other decisions in Record of Decision 18/00027 remain extant.