The Lake Lothing Third Crossing Project in Lowestoft has reached another milestone, with the planning application now accepted by the Planning Inspectorate.

This approval of Suffolk County Council’s application for the development consent order means that the next key stage of the project can begin.

As a project of national significance, it now has the involvement of the Planning Inspectorate. They will invite people and businesses to formally offer their views on the project, by registering as an ‘Interested Party’. Details of how to do this will be published on the Planning Inspectorate website and Suffolk County Council website shortly. You will have until 24 September to register.

Councillor Matthew Hicks, Leader and Cabinet member for Economic Development and Infrastructure for Suffolk Council, said:

“I’m really pleased that the project has reached this stage and is gaining momentum. The Planning Inspectorate will now start its engagement process, speaking with local residents and businesses in greater detail about the project in the coming months. The council is committed to delivering this project for the benefit of Lowestoft, Suffolk and beyond.”

The Planning Inspectorate will now look to appoint an inspector (the Examining Authority) and a preliminary meeting will be scheduled, along with a timetable for the next stage of the project. Anyone who has registered as an Interested Party will be notified of the meeting.

The following stage is the ‘Examination Period’, which will last up to six months. This is when Interested Parties are invited to provide more details of their views in writing, which will be carefully considered by the Examining Authority. The Planning Inspectorate will then submit its recommendation to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), who will have three months to decide whether to grant or refuse development consent.

Visit www.suffolk.gov.uk for more information on the Lake Lothing Third Crossing.