A NATIONAL park authority is set to submit its objections to the major proposed revamp of the M3 Junction 9.

The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) planning committee has concerns over the environmental impact of the scheme.

The committee will meet on Thursday June 8 to discuss a report which will be submitted to National Highways.

The roads body estimates that the cost of the whole scheme will be in the region of £190million to £210million.

READ MORE: Letter: Passing the buck on traffic problems near Winchester

In the SDNPA's report, its planners say not enough has been done to mitigate the harm the huge scheme will cause.

The director of planning's report said: "The proposal is a missed opportunity to demonstrate how National Highways can help contribute to the government's commitment to nature recovery... The application currently fails to deliver sufficient long-term benefits to the environment within the National Park to offset the harm the scheme will cause.

“Approximately 62 per cent of application boundary for this proposed scheme falls within the National Park, the majority of the remaining development area is within the setting of the National Park.

“Of the approximate 68 hectares of land within the National Park, approximately 32 hectares would be permanent land take for the highways works and an additional 33 hectares would be temporarily taken during the construction period.

“In summary, the proposal requires land from within the National Park: to construct new roads / links and associated drainage and other works, provide a site for the temporary construction compound, and provide land for various proposed mitigation measures.

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“With traffic particularly heavy between the M3 and the A34. National Highways' stated purpose of the project is to reduce congestion and improve journey times, reduce queuing traffic and delays and support economic growth by improving the road capacity.”

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In the national park's written representation about the scheme, it said: “Where the SDNPA differs from the applicant, is over the extent to which the detrimental effects to the environment, landscape and recreational opportunities have been moderated, whether the benefits of the scheme outweigh the environmental, landscape and recreational costs very significantly and whether the scheme will be carried out to high environmental standards and includes measures to enhance the environment.

“The proposed central temporary construction compound and associated haul roads / access tracks causes significant adverse harm which is entirely avoidable. 

“It is the SDNPA’s view that insufficient consideration has been given to locating the proposed main / central compound outside the National Park, in a less sensitive location. There is another compound (referred to as Badger Farm) located outside the National Park, which is / was being used by the ‘Smart Motorway’ team working in and around Junction 9.

“The SDNPA considers that the benefits of the scheme have not been proven to outweigh the harm identified to the National Park

“The SDNPA objects to the DCO application for the reasons given above.”

For further information about the M3 Junction 9 improvement project, visit infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-east/m3-junction-9-improvement/.