Call for Norwich Western Link to be referred to Michael Gove

The Labour group at Norfolk County Council says asking the local government secretary to call-in plans for the Norwich Western Link could reduce future delays.

An artist's visualisation of the Norwich Western Link (Image: Norfolk County Council)

While the Labour group is opposed to the project, which would connect the Northern Distributor Road to the A47 west of Norwich, it says referring the project now could stop even more money being "wasted".

Steve Morphew (Image: Denise Bradley)

Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group, said: "Whichever side of this argument you are on, it benefits nobody that this drags on.

"Those opposed to the road want an outcome that solves the rat-running problem as much as those who want the Western Link.

"If it's going to go to an inquiry, let's start that now, so we don't waste more time and money than necessary."

The road is a priority for the Conservative-controlled council and plans for the 3.9-mile scheme have been submitted to the council's own planning committee.

Kay Mason Billig (Image: Norfolk County Council)

But, with council leader Kay Mason Billig having previously said she expects a legal challenge, it is likely the scheme will be called-in at some point, triggering a lengthy public inquiry process.

A call-in is where the secretary of state takes over the determination of a planning application, rather than letting the council make that decision.

A planning inspector is appointed, who holds meetings to hear evidence and then makes a recommendation.

The secretary of state gets the final say and can agree with, or ignore, that recommendation.

The Labour group has tabled a motion at next week's full council meeting, calling for the council to request that the authority's chief executive Tom McCabe writes to local government secretary Michael Gove asking for the application to be called in "as soon as possible".

Michael Gove

Mrs Mason Billig said County Hall officers were looking into the implications that calling in the scheme would have.

She recently criticised government advisors Natural England for 'moving the goalposts' over the chances of the council securing an environmental licence for the road, due to the presence of barbastelle bats on the route.

Natural England hit back, saying the rules have not changed and the authority has known about the bats for more than a decade.