Local Plan Examination

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View the latest news regarding the Ashfield Local Plan Examination

Submission of the Ashfield Local Plan

In accordance with Regulation 22 of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended), Ashfield District Council submitted its Local Plan and supporting documents to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for independent examination on Monday 29 April 2024. The examination will assess whether the plan has been prepared in accordance with legal and procedural requirements and if it is sound. The 4 tests of soundness are set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

An independent inspector will be appointed by the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) for the examination of the Ashfield Local Plan. The Inspector will consider the evidence provided by the Council in support of the Plan and any representations which have been put forward by local people and other interested parties. In most cases, the examination will include hearing sessions which are held in public.

At the end of the examination, the Inspector will send a report to Ashfield District Council recommending whether or not they can adopt the plan. In most cases, the report will recommend some changes that are necessary to allow the plan to be adopted. These are known as 'main modifications'.

Whilst the Council does not have to implement an Inspectors recommendations, they are only able to adopt the development plan document if the Inspector has recommended it for adoption.

The decision to adopt the Local Plan must be taken by the full Council, not a committee. After the decision has been made to adopt a plan, there is a 6-week period, where challenges to this decision can be made to the High Court.

link: Submission documents and evidence base

Planning Inspector

The Secretary of State has appointed Planning Inspectors, Mr Phillp Mileham BA(Hons) MA MRTPI and Mr Graham Wyatt BA (Hons) MRTPI, to conduct an independent examination into the soundness and legal compliance of the Plan. The purpose of the independent examination is set out in Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 Section 20(5).

Programme Officer

The Council’s Programme Officer, Miny Schofield, can be contacted via email, telephone and post as follows:

email: Programme.officer@ashfield.gov.uk
telephone: 07799 724690
postal address:

FAO Programme Officer - Miny Schofield
C/O Ashfield District Council
Urban Road
Kirkby in Ashfield
Nottinghamshire
NG17 8DA

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) has produced guidance which provides practical advice and information about the procedures associated with Local Plan Examinations. This includes guidance for Programme Officers. It is a useful document which helps participants to understand the examination process.

website: Procedure Guide for Local Plan Examinations - Gov.uk.

In addition, the Planning Inspectorate has published a short guide to local plan examinations for those who may be participating for the first time.

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