LTC impacts to special category land

5th August 20206th April 2022 Web Master

Have you seen the details of LTC impacts to special category land on pages 88-90 in the Design Consultation Guide?

To begin with what is Special category land?
National Highways classify it as:

Special category land includes, but is not limited to, land that forms part of common and open space. The compulsory purchase of this land, or of rights over this land, such as a right of access, is subject to specific rules. The LTC would have an impact on special category land including common land, and open space.

Obviously this is some kind of technical definition, there are of course other areas which from ours and others point of view we consider to also be special! The main reason we wanted to share this info from the guide is to raise awareness to others, of some of the kind of places that would be impacted. As always, please do help spread the word and let others know.

M2/A2 junction

Shorne Woods Country Park and Ashenbank Wood – The current use of the site is for recreational purposes and consists of woodland, walking tracks and educational walks.

Impact – NH propose to permanently acquire land for the realignment of Thong Lane and the new road north of the A2. Permanent rights would also be required for the diversion of a gas pipeline, which may limit public use of the area.
LTC proposals – NH propose acquiring replacement land for the affected area to the east of Brewers Wood, part of Shorne Woods Country Park. The area would be designed to complement the existing site. NH propose to include woodland planting and a footpath would be located through the replacement land.

Jeskyns Community Woodland – The site is used for outdoor recreation, walking and cycling.

Impact – NH propose using an area within the site for restringing existing overhead electricity distribution cables.
LTC proposals – The use of the site is temporary and the land would be reinstated once the works are complete.

Cyclopark – The site in Gravesend includes walking and cycling facilities.

Impact – NH propose to place an underground power supply through the site.
LTC proposals – The use of the site is temporary and the land would be reinstated once the works are complete. Permanent rights would be required in relation to the underground power supply, however the use of land as open space would be unaffected.

Shorne Marshes – The site is a grazing marsh.

Impacts – The Lower Thames Crossing tunnel passes underneath the site but there would be no surface works.
LTC proposals – There would be restrictions on the land to protect the tunnel, but the current use of the land on the surface would be unaffected.

North-east of the M2/A2 junction, at the eastern end of Park Pale – The site is an open field with a footpath.

Impacts – We propose to use this site for ancient woodland compensation.
LTC proposals – Once these environmental mitigation works are complete, the site would be open to the public.

Michael Gardens play area, Gravesend – This site is a play space within a public park.

Impacts – NH propose to upgrade a footpath running through the site, to connect with other footpaths across the project area.
LTC proposals – Once the upgrade works are complete, the path and play area would remain open to the public.

Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – click here to read more.

Tilbury area

Tilbury Green – This area of land is designated as common land and allows the public to freely roam over it. This land includes footpath 200 and links into other footpaths within the surrounding area.

Impacts – NH propose to permanently acquire part of footpath 200 for the new road and landscaping. This would remove the ability to freely roam over the affected section of the footpath.
LTC proposals – NH propose an alternative route for the footpath. The land on which this lies would be designated as common land. It would have the same rights as the affected part of the footpath.

West Tilbury Marshes – Part of this area of land is designated as common land and provides marsh and scrub habitat, which is valuable for wildlife.

Impacts – NH propose to acquire permanent rights over the land for the utility works required for the northern tunnel entrance. The land would be used for temporary access and construction purposes.
LTC proposals -The use of the site is temporary, and as the permanent rights would relate to underground equipment, the land would be returned to its current use when the works are complete.

Walton Common and Parsonage Common – The land is designated as common land and provides scrub and grassland habitat, which is valuable for wildlife, and drainage.

Impacts – NH propose to acquire permanent rights over the land for the utility works required for the northern tunnel entrance. The land would be used for temporary access and construction purposes.
LTC proposals -The use of the site is temporary, and as the permanent rights would relate to underground equipment, the land would be returned to its current use when the works are complete.

A13/A1089 junction

Ron Evans Memorial Field – The Ron Evans Memorial Field is located beside the A13/A1089 junction and is used by dog walkers and cyclists.

Impacts – NH propose to permanently acquire part of the site for a new section of road and landscaping.
LTC proposals – NH propose to acquire an area of replacement land next to the existing site. The replacement site would be landscaped and connected to the existing site.

North-west of A13/A1089 junction

Grangewaters Outdoor Education Centre – The affected area is a car park.

Impacts – NH propose to use the car park for temporary works to make utility connections.
LTC proposals – The use of the site is temporary and the land would be reinstated following completion of the works.

LTC/M25 junction

Orsett Fen – This area of land is designated as common land that is not accessible to the public as an exception applies. It provides agricultural rights to certain parties (common rights holders).

Impacts – We propose to permanently acquire land for the new road through the Mardyke. Land is also required permanently for the provision of environmental mitigation. This would affect the agricultural rights of the common rights holders.
LTC proposals – NH propose to remove the common land designation from the affected area of Orsett Fen and instead acquire and designate replacement land to the north and south of the existing site as common land. This land would have the same common rights and exceptions attached to it.

Thames Chase Forest Centre – The site consists of open fields, walking tracks and a mix of vegetation including memorial trees.

Impacts – NH propose to permanently acquire part of the site for the new road and earthworks. Permanent rights would also be required for the diversion of utilities.
LTC proposals – NH propose to acquire replacement land to the north and south of the Thames Chase Forest Centre. This would be landscaped to match the current site and would connect to the existing paths. The replacement land would be designed to complement the existing forest. As part of the mitigation, NH propose a footbridge over the M25 to improve the connection between the western and eastern sections of the Thames Chase Community Forest.

Folkes Lane Woodland – The site consists of open fields, walking tracks and a mix of vegetation.

Impacts – NH propose to permanently acquire rights for the diversion of a gas pipeline, which may limit public use of the area.
LTC proposals – NH propose replacement land adjacent to the existing woodland, with landscaping to match the existing site and use, and to allow the spaces to link together.