500 metre HS2 viaduct near Wendover gets planning permission
Bucks Council say they had no choice but to grant permission
HS2 have been given to go-ahead to build the Wendover Dean viaduct.
Bucks Council say they had no power to deny the 500-metre long bridge's planning permission, but they have managed to improve the design for locals.
Councillor Peter Martin, Buckinghamshire Council's Deputy Cabinet Member for HS2 said:
"I want to reassure local residents that by the Council approving this Schedule 17 now, it does not preclude it from refusing the subsequent Schedule 17 related to bringing the viaduct into use later on.
"The Council remains fundamentally opposed to the construction of HS2 and has fought the proposals through every stage.
"Not only do we disagree with the strategic case for the line, but also the devastating environmental damage and the impact of the works on local communities."
Peter said that HS2 has permission to construct this viaduct under the HS2 Act 2017 and there is nothing from a planning perspective the Council can do to stop this work going ahead.
The Councillor added that whilst they could not have used noise or future noise as grounds for refusal, HS2 Ltd/EKFB have given the assurance that if they need to re-design and re-submit a revised Schedule 17 for the viaduct to mitigate future noise, they have the time and will do so.
READ MORE: Buckinghamshire Council holding HS2 to account despite limited powers
Peter continued:
"The Council has also worked hard during the pre-application process to secure a number of changes and improvements to the scheme including key input into route-wide barrier design resulting in concealed posts, cranked barriers over 3m high and use of texturing, improvements to the design of the viaduct's piers and bases, maximised land to be returned to agriculture, minimised the amount of security fencing and minimised hedgerow loss."
Where will the viaduct be?
The Wendover Dean Viaduct will sit in land to the east of the A413 London Rd, Wendover Dean between the settlements of Wendover and Great Missenden.
It will be around 500 metres long with ten spans crossing Durham Farm, a realigned section of Bowood Lane and a private access road to Upper Wendover Dean Farm incorporating the public right of way.
The Schedule 17 submission for the HS2 Wendover Dean Viaduct can be found here.