M1 Junction 10a (Grade Separation) – Luton given development consent

30 October 2013, the M1 Junction 10a (Grade Separation) - Luton project has been given development consent by the Department for Transport.

The development consent is to upgrade Junction 10A of the M1 motorway from the existing at grade roundabout to a grade separated junction.

The decision announced today follows a six month examination process by the Planning Inspectorate which met the statutory timescales laid down in the Planning Act 2008.

The application was submitted for consideration on 29 June 2012 and accepted for examination on 27 July 2012.

Following the examination, where interested parties were given the opportunity to give evidence to the Examining Authority, a recommendation was made to the Secretary of State for Transport on 13 August 2013.

The Planning Inspectorate’s Chief Executive, Sir Michael Pitt, said: “A major priority for us over the course of the examination was to ensure that communities who might be affected by this proposal had the opportunity to put forward their views. As always, the Examining Authority gave careful consideration to these before reaching their conclusion.

“The examination of the application was completed within the timescales prescribed in the Planning Act and a recommendation made to the Secretary of State for Transport. Today’s decision supports that recommendation.”

Documentation, including the decision, the recommendation made to the Secretary of State and the evidence considered by the Examining Authority in reaching its decision, is publicly available on the M1 Junction 10a (Grade Separation) page