Transport Secretary of Secretary (SOS) Patrick McLoughlin has gone against the recommendation of a planning inspector and approved a planning direction and renewed compulsory purchase powers for Centro, the passenger transport executive for the West Midlands, as the benefits of the extended route to ‘accessibility and connectivity’ are said to outweigh the harm that will occur to the significant heritage of Birmingham.
The Planning Portal writes:
McLoughlin acknowledged there would be harm to heritage assets but argued that significant weight had not been given to the benefits of the proposed extension in terms of improving accessibility and connectivity, reducing traffic congestion and supporting economic growth. The SoS claimed the scheme would facilitate sustainable development ‘a fundamental aim of national planning policy’.
His decision letter went on to conclude that it was ‘in the public interest’ to authorise the Order and the planning direction.’
See the decision letter
