Timeline of events

Construction on the scheme has started. 

For further details, please see our construction updates and project news pages. 

During the detailed design of the scheme, it has been necessary to make some minor changes to reduce overall costs. These changes are subject to a revised planning application known as a Section 73 application.  Details of this revised planning application can be found in the planning portal - you may need to click on the 'Agree' button at the bottom of the page to see details.

This has now been submitted to seek approval for the variation of several conditions of the approved North and East Melton Mowbray Distributor Road scheme. The amendments being sought to the scheme are not of a scale or nature that would result in a significantly different development than the originally approved.  

See our Planning permission page for further details.

A 'Meet the contractor event' was held on 17 and 18 March 2023 at Melton Borough Council.

This was an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions about the scheme including traffic management proposals, works timeline and any queries around the revised planning application. The event was very well received, with up to 200 people attending on each day. 

View the display boards presented at the meetings: 

On Thursday 9 March 2023, it was confirmed that the Government, via the Department for Transport, have awarded the scheme £49.5m. Roads Minister, Richard Holden visited the site to make the announcement. 

In preparation for the start of the main scheme works, advance works have now started which include fencing, surveys, archaeology, site clearance and the setting-up of site compounds. 

This is happening ahead of confirmation of funding from the Department for Transport, which is expected in late February. Once the funding has been confirmed, the main scheme of works are due to begin early April 2023. 

The full business case (FBC) was submitted to the Department for Transport in October 2022 and was approved at cabinet on 16 December 2022. 

Following this cabinet approval, on-site advanced works are due to get underway in January 2023.

Following the public inquiry, we worked to finalise the detailed design for the scheme. In the meantime, the demolition of Sysonby Farm was completed earlier this year and ecological and archaeological works progressed on site to allow the scheme to proceed. 

During the week commencing 22 August, notices were served upon the affected landowners, tenants, and occupiers to confirm that the County Council will take entry onto the land from December 2022. 

The NE MMDR public inquiry was opened by the Inspector on Tuesday 21 September 2021 and closed on Thursday 7 October 2021. The Inspector subsequently submitted a report, making a recommendation to the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State announced in a decision dated 31 March 2022 that the proposed Compulsory Purchase Order and Side Roads Orders (including modifications) have now been confirmed.

This was advertised on site and in the local press dated 28 April 2022 with affected landowners being notified directly.

Proposed Modifications 

A number of minor modifications were required to the CPO and SRO which are necessary to ensure accuracy, consistency as well as address some concerns raised by landowners. The modifications do not comprise any increase in the land required for the scheme. Relevant parties have been consulted in relation to the modifications. Full details of the modifications can be found on the Proposed Modifications page. 

Public Inquiry 

The Secretary of State gave notice that a virtual Public Inquiry, in connection with the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and Side Roads Order (SRO) would take place. The Public Inquiry (now closed) began on Tuesday 21 September 2021 at 10am. The Pre-Inquiry meeting was held on Tuesday 6 July 2021. 

Details of the virtual Public Inquiry, can be found on the Public Inquiry page.

The Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) and Side Roads Order (SRO) notices were submitted to the Secretary of State for confirmation on 21 October 2020.

A number of objections to the CPO and SRO were received and the Secretary of State gave notice on 15 January 2021 of the intention to call a Public Inquiry to consider the objections. The Council was required to serve a Statement of Case on the Secretary of State and on each statutory objector. These were served on all objectors within the necessary timeframe. 

A planning application for the North and East Melton Mowbray Distributor Road was submitted and subsequently granted on Thursday 23 May 2019, subject to conditions such as commencing within 3 years from the date of permission, operating within certain hours, consideration to the environment, landscaping, and flooding, habitat creation for the River Eye and use of low road noise surface material.

Details of the planning application were distributed to around 1000 properties within approximately 500m of the proposed route together with information at community locations/events such as the library, and borough council offices. Posters were also placed at key locations throughout the town. 

Nearly 300 people attended drop-in information events at Melton Borough Council Offices.

A simulated 3D flyover video of the proposal has been produced by AECOM. 

The 'Preferred Route' for the North and East section of the NEMMDR was agreed by the Director on 8 May 2018, following consultation with the Lead Member for Environment and Transport. 

A further southern distributor road link from A606 Burton road to A607 Leicester Road (that does not form part of this scheme) is identified in Melton Borough Council's Local Plan. 

It was announced on 17 May 2018 that the project has successfully secured £49.5m of Government funding following a bid to the Department for Transport (DfT) Local Major Schemes Fund.  

Following this, an outline business case was submitted to the Department for Transport (DfT) in late December 2017 seeking funding for the scheme. 

In September and October 2017, we sought views on a recommended route for a distributor road which would relieve congestion in Melton Mowbray and support plans for housing and employment growth in the town. 

The distributor road would run to the north and east of Melton, beginning at the A606 Nottingham Road to the North before re-joining the A606 Burton Road to the south of the town. 

A report detailing the final recommended route (item 75) along with results of the consultation was presented to and subsequently approved by the council’s cabinet in December 2017.