Highways Development Control
The function of the Highway Development Control Team is primarily to ensure that new development within the county comply with highway design and safety policies and standards as laid down by central and local government.
The County Council is highway authority for non-trunk roads in the county. In this capacity the Highway Development Control team, as a consultee of the local planning authority, makes recommendations on planning applications, and comments on the suitability of sites proposed for inclusion in Local Plans.
As part of assessing suitability of development proposals the team is responsible for securing funding of off-site highway infrastructure improvements as well as traffic calming, foot/cycleway provision and public transport services.
Road Adoptions
The adoption of a Road is also the responsibility of the Highway Development Control Team.
For a road to be adopted it must meet specific standards. Details of these standards are available in our Highway Design Guide and General Specification Aid. Copies of the Design Guide are currently free as it is in the process of being updated. The General Specification Aid is available to purchase at a cost of 5.00.
The layout and construction specification must be agreed with the Highway Development Control team before construction begins on any road that will later be offered for adoption. The developer will have to enter into an agreement under Section 38 of the Highways Act in order to eventually get the road adopted. A fee of 7.5% of the value of the highway works is normally required and a fee to cover the legal costs in preparing the agreement.
If a developer begins work on the road before an agreement is in place then this fee raises to 10% to cover the inspection and checking costs.