Publication of New Environmental Statement Addendum (2022) and Associated Documentation
Following the Planning Appeals Commission’s (PAC’s) Interim Report from the public inquiry of February / March 2020 and the subsequent Interim Departmental Statement of 16 March 2021, the Department has now prepared a new Environmental Statement Addendum (ESA 2022). This includes information on the topics of flood risk and the consideration of alternatives to the proposed scheme, as recommended by the PAC, and also updates other aspects of the original Environmental Statement of 2016 (ES 2016) and Environmental Statement Addendum of 2019 (ESA 2019).
The Minister, Nichola Mallon MLA, has announced the publication of this new ESA 2022 and associated documentation and the commencement of a period of public consultation from 16 March 2022 through to 6 May 2022. These documents should be read in conjunction with the previous ES 2016 and ESA 2019.
Further consultation is also being undertaken under the Habitats Regulations on a number of Reports of Information to Inform an Appropriate Assessment relating to the likely impacts of the A5 scheme on Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Ramsar sites. The Reports of Information to Inform an Appropriate Assessment (RIAAs) build upon previous consultations during 2014, 2017 and 2019.
A further Notice of Intention to Make a Vesting Order has also been published on the proposal to vest additional lands required for environmental mitigation purposes.
It is the anticipated the A5WTC Public Inquiry can be re-convened by the PAC later this year to consider all representations made.
Please note A5WTC@WSP.com is for general communication queries only. Should you wish to express an opinion on the environmental reports or to object to the proposed Vesting Order, you must write, giving your reasons, to the Divisional Roads Manager, DFI Roads - Western Division, County Hall, Drumragh Avenue, Omagh BT79 7AF, or email DFIRoads.Western@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk before 6th May 2022.
All the aforementioned reports and documentation are available to view or download in the documents tab below: