Highways Agency

Planning Applications

Planning a development near one of England’s motorways or trunk roads?

How we can help you

The Highways Agency is responsible for England's motorways and trunk roads. We are keen to talk with you before you submit any planning applications.

We can provide you with advice to help address any issues on your planning application and supporting Transport Assessment at an early stage. Guidance on Transport Assessment produced by DfT and DCLG is now available and outlines the content and preparation of a Transport Assessment.

This can also be read in conjunction with the Interim Advice Note on Variable Demand in Development Control. This document provides guidance to those involved in, or considering, the use of Variable Demand Modelling as part of a Transport Assessment for the Highways Agency.

We may be able to help and save money and time by:

• Working with you to create sustainable proposals that minimize the creation of new trips by motor vehicle.
• Focusing on measures to manage traffic rather than increasing road capacity.
• When road improvements are appropriate, exploring options for carrying these out at the same time that new developments are built and timing our construction works so as to make life easier for everyone.

If your planned development would cause an increase in traffic on one of England's motorways or trunk roads, and no alternative can be found, we may ask you to pay for measures to offset the adverse effects.

What happens if you do not contact us at an early stage?

The local planning authorities automatically send us any planning applications that may increase traffic on England's busiest roads. But by the time that this happens, there may be less that we can do to help. We much prefer to hear from you directly, well before you submit your planning application. We are happy to receive details of your plans in electronic format and you can email us at the addresses shown here.

What we need from you

• We would like to discuss your plans and Transport Assessment at an early stage, before you submit a Planning Application. We are looking for proposals which:
  • Minimise the potential for more traffic on the strategic road network
  • Conforms with the policies and proposals set out in the adopted Development Plan and DfT Circular 02/2007 ‘Planning and the Strategic Road Network’.
• Plans showing your development's location and layout. We would prefer to receive technical files in a scalable format e.g. .dwg.

• A draft Transport Assessment (we should receive this no later than when you submit a planning application). The earlier you provide this the less your development is likely to be delayed. The assessment should identify any measures that you propose to minimize the creation of new journeys and include details of the environmental impact that may arise from the residual traffic that your development may generate. Guidance on how to prepare your Transport Assessment is available.

What we can do for you

• We are ready to work with developers and planning authorities. Together we will make sure that the impacts on traffic flow are identified and addressed at an early stage.
• We will be proactive in thinking through options and solutions for managing the potential traffic impacts of your development.
• We will seek to identify with you solutions that minimise the need for road improvements.
• We will guide you on what is needed for a Transport Assessment.
• We will endeavour to provide a prompt, efficient, accurate and fair service.

Is your development near a major road?

You can find out by looking at our Network Map or contacting us.

Contact our Regional Managers for details.