Notice is hereby given that Highways England Company Limited (“Highways England”) of Bridge House, Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, GUI 4LZ proposes to make an application (“the Application”) to the Secretary of State for Transport under Section 37 of the Planning Act 2008 for a Development Consent Order.

The Application is for the proposed A303 Sparkford to Ilchester Dualling scheme in Somerset. The scheme’s main proposals in summary are:

• Construction of a new dual carriageway that follows the existing A303 from east of Podimore Roundabout to Downhead. At this point the road moves north before reverting to follow the route of the existing A303 in the direction of Hazlegrove.

• Retention of some existing sections of the A303 as a parallel road to provide local travel connectivity

• Provision of a new junction allowing local traffic access to the new dual carriageway in the vicinity of Downhead

• Provision of a new junction allowing local traffic access to the new dual carriageway in the vicinity of Hazlegrove

The scheme is an Environmental Impact Assessment development (“EIA development”), as defined by The Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 and an Environmental Statement will be submitted as part of the Application. A Preliminary Environmental Information (“PEI”) Report forms part of the consultation material.

Consultation on the proposals will take place from Friday 26 January 2018 to Friday 9 March 2018. Copies of the consultation materials - including documents, plans and maps showing the nature and location of the proposed development and the PEI Report - will be available for inspection free of charge from Friday 26 January 2018 to Friday 9 March 2018 at the following locations and times:

Copies of the consultation materials also will be available online free of charge from Friday 26 January 2018 at www.highways.gov.uk/Sparkford-to-Ilchester.

Copies of the consultation materials may be requested during the consultation period from Highways England using the e-mail address, postal address or telephone number provided below:

• A303SparkfordtoIlchesterdualling@highwaysengland.co.uk

• A303 Sparkford to Ilchester Dualling, Highways England, 2/07K Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6HA

• 0300 123 500 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)

Paper copies of the consultation booklet, response form and Statement of Community Consultation will be supplied free of charge. A CD / DVD of these items together with scheme plans, the Preliminary Environmental Information Report and associated Non-Technical Summary will be supplied free of charge.

Any person may comment on the proposals or otherwise respond to this publicity. Responses must be received between Friday 26 January 2018 and Friday 9 March 2018. A consultation feedback form is available as part of the consultation, and the consultation website will also allow the submission of electronic consultation responses. When providing your response, please include your name and address or, if you would prefer your comments to be anonymous, your postcode only. Please also confirm the nature of your interest in the scheme. Please supply any response to:

• A303SparkfordtoIlchesterdualling@highwaysengland.co.uk

• A303 Sparkford to Ilchester Dualling, Highways England, 2/07K Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6HA

• 0300 123 500 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)

Responses must be received no later than Friday 9 March 2018 or, if later, 28 days from the date of this notice.

Highways England will consider and have regard to all responses when developing their Application for a Development Consent Order once consultation has closed. Responses will form the basis of a Consultation Report that will be one of the factors taken into consideration by the Secretary of State when deciding whether the Application can be accepted for examination. Therefore, in providing any comment, it should be borne in mind that the substance of it may be communicated to others as part of the Consultation Report.

If you would like further information about this notice, the consultation or the scheme, please contact the project team by using one of the contact methods provided above.

Josh Hodder, Project Manager, Highways England, Thursday 18 January 2018