The A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent (Correction) Order 2025
This order corrects errors and omissions within the A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent Order 2025.
The corrections, requested by the applicant and the Kent Downs National Landscape Team, were made under the Planning Act 2008 and involve alterations to various articles and schedules, including modifications of definitions, article text, and table entries.
The order ensures the accuracy of the original consent order, improving clarity and facilitating the project’s efficient implementation.
Arguments For
Addressing Errors and Omissions: The corrections ensure the accuracy and completeness of the original Development Consent Order, preventing potential legal challenges and implementation problems. The order directly addresses specific identified errors and omissions.
Improved Legal Certainty: Correcting inaccuracies enhances the clarity and enforceability of the development consent order. This provides certainty for all stakeholders involved in the project. A legally sound document reduces the risk of future disputes and delays.
Efficient Project Delivery: By rectifying errors promptly, the order facilitates a smoother and more efficient progression of the A122 Lower Thames Crossing project. Timely corrections minimize potential disruptions and cost overruns.
Stakeholder Collaboration: The correction process shows a commitment to responsiveness and collaboration among stakeholders (applicant, Kent Downs National Landscape Team, and relevant authorities). This process demonstrates a willingness to address concerns raised by stakeholders.
Arguments Against
Potential for Further Errors: While the order addresses identified errors, there remains a possibility of undiscovered errors or omissions that might surface later. Comprehensive review processes are crucial to mitigate this.
Delays and Administrative Burden: The need for corrections creates delays and adds to the administrative burden of the project. The initial process of creating the Development Consent Order should have been robust enough to prevent such issues.
Resource Allocation: Correcting errors requires a reallocation of resources (time and expertise) that could have been used for other project-related activities. This highlights the potential cost of initial errors and oversight.
Lack of Transparency (potential): The review and correction process needs to be transparent to maintain public trust in the development project. Failure to adequately document and share the correction process can lead to public distrust.
- Citation and commencement
This Order may be cited as the A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent (Correction) Order 2025 and comes into force on 12th September 2025.
This section assigns the title "A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent (Correction) Order 2025" to the legal document and states that it becomes effective on September 12, 2025.
- Corrections to the A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent Order 2025 (“the 2025 Order”)
The 2025 Order is corrected as set out in the table in the Schedule, where—
(a) column 1 sets out where the correction is to be made;
(b) column 2 sets out how the correction is to be made; and
(c) column 3 sets out the text to be substituted, inserted or omitted.
This section outlines that the order amends the A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent Order 2025.
The specific corrections are listed in a table within the Schedule to the order.
The table is structured to show where the corrections are (column 1), changes (column 2) and replacement text (column 3).
SCHEDULE CORRECTABLE ERRORS
Article 2
(1) Where the correction is to be made (2) How the correction is to be made (3) Text to be substituted, inserted or omitted
[Table of Corrections]
This schedule details specific corrections needed for the A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent Order 2025.
It’s a table showing where an error is located, what change is made and what text to substitute, insert, or omit.
The table specifies numerous article and schedule locations within the original document requiring amendments.
EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Order)
This Order corrects errors and omissions in the A122 (Lower Thames Crossing) Development Consent Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/462), a development consent order under the Planning Act 2008, following two requests under paragraph 1(6)(a) of Schedule 4 to that Act.
This explanatory note provides background to the order.
The note is not legally binding; it explains that the order addresses errors and omissions within the 2025 Development Consent Order using the provisions made by the Planning Act 2008, responding to two formal requests.