New map final The Inspectors said the scheme’s benefits “would not outweigh the harm arising from the excavation of a deep, wide cutting and other engineering works, within the WHS and its setting, of a scale and nature not previously experienced historically in this ‘landscape without parallel’”. Mr Shapps said in his decision letter that he is "satisfied that there is a clear need case for the development", and that the "benefits identified weigh significantly in favour of it". His decision was taken against the advice of a panel of five senior Planning Inspectors (the Examining Authority) who formally examined the scheme in 2019.