Local Plan Examination
Planning Inspectorate Guidance
The Planning Inspectorate issued guidance on 17/03/2020 which will impact on the progress of the Local Plan.
Officers will work with the Local Plan Inspector to progress the examination as swiftly as possible once this restriction has been lifted. Further update will be provided here as soon as they become available.
The North Warwickshire Local Plan was formally submitted to the Secretary of State on 27th March 2018 for independent examination.
Inspector Tom Bristow BA MSc MRTPI has been appointed to conduct the examination to determine whether the above named Local Plan is sound and Kerry Trueman has been appointed as the Programme Officer and can be contacted using the details below
By email - kerrytrueman@northwarks.gov.uk
Telephone - 07582 310364
Latest News 4th March 2021
A consultation is now taking place for 6 weeks until 14 April 2021 on proposed changes to the Local Plan which the Inspector considers to be needed for the Local Plan to be made sound. These changes are known as Main Modifications. Full details of the consultation can be found on our Planning Consultation page
Latest News 24 February 2021
The Council will be going out for Consultation on the Main Modifications. The consultation will start on Thursday 4th March for 6 weeks. To aid this consultation the Council have produced NWBC32 which is an Explanatory Note explaining the Housing Trajectory and 5 Year Housing Supply. It is not a consultation document but simply an aide. When the consultation goes "live", there will be a link on this page to the consultation page which willl contain all the relevant information as well as the consultation documents
Latest News 11 December 2020
Please be advised that PO8 Schedule of Examination Virtual Hearing Attendees is now available. The Programme Officer will be contacting those listed. Those interested parties wishing to observe should do so via the Council YouTube link
Latest News 9 December 2020
Please be advised that Additional examination correspondence in response to INSP5B, paragraph 7, have been added to the Examination Library and can be found on the Examination Page Local Plan Examination Library - Post Submission (after March 27th 2018). They are numbered from AEC1 - AEC6. The Hearings will be streamed live on the Councils Youtube Link
Latest News 3 December 2020
Guidance and procedures have been set out in INSP24 in respect of virtual hearings. Those seeking to participate or observe should review that document in advance of 15 December when the first hearing schedules are set to start (the forward programme being set out in examination document INSP5B). The Hearings will be streamed on the Councils Youtube Link
Latest News 24 November 2020
Participants in forthcoming virtual hearings should be aware of the following privacy statement (INSP22) in terms of future sessions. Details of administration, procedures and joining instructions for virtual hearings will be published on the examination website shortly. Thank you to those who have already confirmed their intention to participate or observe.
Latest News 18 November 2020
In INSP5B the Inspector indicated, in the light of current circumstances, individuals’ availability, and Covid-19 sensitivities that he may be prepared to accept written submissions in lieu of individuals attending virtual hearings (on which participation guidance is forthcoming). Any such representations should be received no later that 17:00 on Friday 4 December.
Latest News 3 November 2020
The PINS Privacy Notice with regards to the Hearings can be viewed
The Examination Library has now been updated with the submissions for the additional Consultation, which closed on Wednesday 7th October 2020. These can be viewed on our Examination Downloads Page
Latest News 27 October 2020
Hearings which form part of the examination process have taken place in September 2018, February 2019 and April 2019. Further hearings, focussed on matters arising from recent public consultation, will now take place starting at 9.30 on 15 December 2020.
Email: KerryTrueman@NorthWarks.gov.uk
Telephone: 07582 310 364
Latest News 27 August 2020
The Local Plan has been at examination since submission in March 2018. During that time various additional documents have been produced, principally in response to the Inspectors requests. We are now going out for consultation on several of these documents, with an aim of working towards a schedule of main modifications that would render the plan capable of being recommended sound by the Inspector. Details of the consultation can be found on our Planning Consultation Page
The consultation is open until Wednesday 7th October 2020
Latest News 24 August 2020
The Inspector has responded to the Councils document NWBC26 and this document is referenced as INSP21. The Council is currently working through the points raised by the Inspector and these will be sent to the Inspector and published shortly
Latest News 4 August 2020
The Council have responded to the points raised in INSP20 via NWBC26, NWBC26A, NWBC26B, NWBC26C, and NWBC20E. The Council have also added AD56 to the Examination Library which is an updated Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment.
Latest News 21 July 2020
The Inspector has written to the Council regarding the examination progress and this can be found in INSP20. The Council are considering this letter and will respond in due course. Please keep an eye on the latest news section of the website
Latest News 2nd March 2020
The Council have responded to the points raised in INSP19 via NWBC25. This includes potential timings regarding the future progress of the examination, which remains paused pending the outcome of a housing infrastructure fund review. The Inspector is considering that correspondence. We will inform the Inspector when that occurs, after which forward arrangements for the Examination will be set.
Latest News 28th October 2019
The Inspector has responded to the Councils document NWBC24 and this document is referenced as INSP19. The Council is currently working through the points raised by the Inspector in INSP19 and these will be sent to the Inspector shortly
Latest News 13th September 2019
The Council has sent the Inspector it’s response to INSP18, being a letter of 12 June 2019 regarding hearings held in February/ April 2019 and Examination progress. That is Examination document NWBC24. It is also accompanied in a number of annexes responding to the issues raised in INSP18 (two of which in respect of heritage and green space mapping are to follow in due course). There is also a consolidated and updated draft schedule of MMs, now ordered by section or policy of the Local Plan, which the Inspector is presently reviewing, NWBC20D (also referred to as Appendix A in NWBC24).
The Council would bring attention to the element of NWBC24 which states that at the time of writing the Housing Infrastructure Fund bid decision referred to in INSP18 is still awaited, and that in that context the Council has published this information but is yet to formally seek guidance from the Inspector as to the next steps in the Examination process. Consequently, and in the interests of procedural fairness, the Inspector will not be accepting any further correspondence on the documents referenced in this Latest News item at this stage. Arrangements for the Examination going forward will be set in due course, with Latest News on the Examination website updated accordingly. Any procedural questions or queries may, as always, be raised via the Programme Officer.’
All the documents can be viewed on the Local Plan Examination Library - Post Submission (after March 27th 2018) page (Documents NWBC24, NWBC24 Annex B-L)
Latest News 8th August 2019
The Borough Council has been informed that a decision on the A5 HIF bid will be made in "early Autumn"
The Borough Council's response to INSP18 will be sent to the Inspector in September.
NWBC initial response to INSP18
The Council notes the Inspectors Letter and will proceed to complete the work identified by him as soon as possible.
We have made those considering the HIF bid aware of the letter and we are told to expect an announcement this summer.
Whilst the work identified is being completed and based on the expected timetable given to us by MHCLG the announcement on the HIF bid may have been made by the time this work has been completed. The Council would therefore ask that the Inquiry is not formally suspended at this time but that this position be reviewed when the work is ready for publication.
Latest News June 2019
A letter from the inspector regarding future examination progress and matters yet to be resolved is now available (INSP18). That sets out several actions and options, including potential main modifications, that could be taken from here on in. The inspector continues to review the evidence before him, and will write again once the Councils responses to the points contained in that letter are returned. He notes in INSP18 that he will do all that he is able to progress the examination efficiently towards a positive outcome.
Latest News 23rd April
Hearings on site allocations and development management policies were held between 2 and 11 April. The Council is reviewing the schedule of main modifications [NWBC20C] and any actions arising from those sessions. Likewise the Inspector continues to review the evidence before him, before writing with any further matters of clarification and in respect of the future progress of the examination. As set out in previous guidance documents the examination remains live until such point as the inspector’s report is with the Council, and there will be further opportunities to comment on proceedings (including as and when any main modifications are ultimately published)
Latest News 10th April
The Examination Library has been updated with AD51A North Warwickshire Draft Site Specific Flood Risk Technical Note (Aecom 2019) and AD51B Site Specific Flood Risk Technical Note (Environment Agency Response)
in relation to issue 6.6 but also in relation to several site allocations [INSP5A], this will be discussed in the morning session on 11 April under policy LP35.
Latest News 4th April
Following the hearing session on 7 April, the Council have now published AD49 .That sets out various suggested revisions by representors to Main Modification 39 (MM39 in examination document NWBC20A). MM39 and related evidence will be the subject of discussion on 11 April.
Please note that, for programming reasons, the administrative session on 11 April will run directly on from the morning session (as opposed to commencing at 14:00 as previously set out in INSP4B). The inspector has indicated that the administrative session will, however, be no sooner than 11:00.
Additionally work that the Council are undertaking with the Environment Agency regarding flooding, notably in relation to issue 6.6 but also in relation to several site allocations [INSP5A], is currently intended to be discussed in the morning session on 11 April under policy LP35. Please inform the Programme Officer should you wish to attend those sessions
Latest News 3rd April
Following the hearing session on 7 April, the Council have now published AD49 .That sets out various suggested revisions by representors to Main Modification 39 (MM39 in examination document NWBC20A). MM39 and related evidence will be the subject of discussion during the administrative session in the afternoon of 11 April. Additionally work that the Council are undertaking with the Environment Agency regarding flooding, notably in relation to issue 6.6 but also in relation to several site allocations [INSP5A], is currently intended to be discussed in the morning session on 11 April under policy LP35. Please inform the Programme Officer should you wish to attend those sessions
Latest News 29 March 2019
A updated Draft Schedule of Examination Hearing Attendees has been published for Matter 9 for the next week of hearings (See PO5) , based on those who have informed the Programme Officer of their intention to attend.
Latest New 27 March 2019
An updated schedule of potential main modifications to the plan has been uploaded to the examination website NWBC20C, combining the previous two files, NWBC20A and NWBC20B. This in advance of the next hearing sessions, and includes additional Main modifications and changes principally in relation to site allocations and development management policies as scheduled in the updated programme [INSP4B].
Latest New 15 March 2019
An updated schedule of potential main modifications to the plan has been uploaded to the examination website [NWBC20B]. That is in advance of the next hearing sessions, principally in relation to site allocations and development management policies as scheduled in the updated programme [INSP4B].
Matters, issues and questions (‘MIQs’) related to those sessions are in updated examination document INSP5A. Please note that issues 9.15 to 9.18 related to Coleshill will now follow discussion on issues 9.19 to 9.23 in relation to Polesworth and Dordon sites during the morning hearing session on 3 April. Position statements for forthcoming sessions have also been uploaded.
The inspector has explained that, at this stage, he does not intend to produce agendas for forthcoming sessions. MIQs, along with position statements, will instead form the basis for discussion. A participant list for hearing sessions is examination documents PO5 and PO6; please contact the Programme Officer if there any alterations to attendance.
Latest News 28 February 2019
Following INSP12 and NWBC22, NWBC22A, and NWBC22B, an update to the Sustainability Appraisal has now been published. Representors may wish to be aware of its contents. That update, and arrangements for views to be received in respect of it, will be for discussion during the morning administrative session scheduled for 2 April at 0930, see INSP4B. All other documents added to the website are in the Local Plan Examination Page or the Additional Documents Downloads Page
Latest News 8 February 2019
The Examination Library has been updated with a further Examination Update Note (INSP13), Draft Programme of Hearings Further Update (INSP4B), Updated Draft Hearing Matters, Issues and Questions (INSP5A) and the Agendas for Matters 5 (INSP14), Matter 6 (INSP15), Matter 7 (INSP16) and Matter 8 (INSP17).
There is also an updated version of the schedule of Main Modifications now available, containing revisions and inclusions compared to the previous version (NWBC20A).
Representors wishing to submit position statements in respect of Matters 9 and 10 should do so by 1700 on 8th March 2019 in line with the guidance in INSP3. Please inform the Programme Officer by 1700 on 21st February 2019 should you wish to participate or observe at Matter 9, 10 or the administration sessions; please specify which session or issue if that is the case. Any procedural observations regarding INSP13, or the documents referenced above, should be made at the soonest opportunity to the Programme Officer by 1700 on 21st February 2019 at the latest
Latest News 11 January 2019
Participants should be aware, as has also been notified to individuals via letters from the PO and via the Council’s social media, that the next hearing sessions in respect of the North Warwickshire Local Plan, in relation to strategic matters 5, 6, 7 and 8 [INSP5] will be held on 26, 27 and 28 February. Details are in a revised examination programme [INSP4A]. In that latter document the inspector has also set out indicative timings for the publication of further matters issues and questions and the timings in respect of matters 9 and 10, site allocations and development management policies. Whilst not inviting any contributions at this stage, if any Representors have any comments on INSP4A, please could these be received by the Programme Officer (see above) at the soonest opportunity. Representors are reminded to advise the Programme Officer of the intention to attend or to participate in hearing sessions regarding strategic matters 5, 6, 7 and 8 by 25 January (which will form the basis for agendas). The Inspector’s notification letter on indicative timings for the publication of further matters, issues and questions and the timings for hearings in respect of matters 9 and 10, site allocations and development management policies, is available to view here - Document PO3 – Inspector’s notification letter regarding INSP4A.
Latest News 20th December 2018
The Inspector’s note following initial Examination Hearings has recently been sent to the Council, INSP12, which also relates to the future progress of the Examination. The Councils initial response is available here NWBC22.
Latest News 6th December 2018
Following the closure of hearings in September the Inspector is currently considering the complex issues raised, with a view to publishing a note of initial findings (which will also address the future progress of the examination). The note will be sent to the Council and placed on the website as soon as possible
Latest News 15th October 2018
Following the first week of Examination Hearings, several documents have now been published on the Examination website (NWBC16 to NWBC20, PS.M3.07a, PS.M5.08, and AD34 to AD38). They relate to matters raised during hearings in respect of strategic matters 1 to 4. Appropriate opportunity will be made to comment on them as the Examination progresses.
Document NWBC20 includes the Council’s initial schedule of Main Modifications to the Local Plan which have arisen in discussion to date. That schedule is published in the interests of openness and is in draft: it does not indicate that such modifications are required in their current form, or otherwise (see INSP1 and INSP2).
As explained during the hearings it is the Inspector’s intention to publish an Examination note, including taking account of the above, at the soonest opportunity. ‘Latest News’ on the Examination website will be updated accordingly.
Latest News 17th September 2018
Agendas for each matter to be covered during the first week of examination hearings have now been published (INSP8, INSP9, INSP10, INSP11).* They include reference to those who have informed us that they wish to participate.
Participants and interested parties should consult those documents in order to ensure attendance at the correct juncture. To note that all morning sessions will commence at 09:30 and afternoon sessions at 14:00 at Council House, South Street, Atherstone CV9 1DE.
As set out in INSP3, please inform the programme officer at the soonest opportunity if you have any specific requirements in relation to attendance and participation or questions regarding the agendas.
*Strategic matters 1-4 as set out in INSP5, namely the Duty to Cooperate, Other Legal Compliance, Housing and spatial approach/alternatives
Latest News 12th September 2018
A draft Schedule of Examination Hearing Attendees has been published for each matter for the first week of hearings PO2, based on those who have informed the Programme Officer of their intention to attend.
Other than where there is good reason, only those listed therein will be able to participate in discussions. Any representors who have queries on appearing or that schedule should contact the Programme Officer. Participants should also be aware that agendas for each matter are forthcoming and are intended to be uploaded on the examination website around a week before the relevant hearing session
Latest News 7th September 2018
The matter papers for hearing sessions 1 to 7 have been uploaded to the website and are available on the post submission page
Latest New 29th August 2018
The Inspectors Note INSP7 has been added to the Examination Library. Those Representors who wish to submit a statement for Matter 8 ‘Viability and delivery’ now have a revised deadline of 5pm on Friday 5th October 2018.
Latest News 10th August 2018
On 10th August 2018 the Council published NWBC11, in response to the questions raised by the inspector in examination document INSP2. As set out in Examination document INSP3, those making further comments by 1700 on 31st August 2018 or intending to attend hearing sessions, may wish to take account of it.
Latest News 26th July 2018
INSP6 The Inspector's Note regarding the revised National Planning Policy Framework is now available in the Examination Library
Latest News 20th July 2018
Downloads
- Local Plan Submission Version
- Local Plan Submission Version Maps (several downloads)
- Local Plan Examination Library (Post Submission Documents from March 2018 onwards including Inspectors correspondence) - this includes any new evidence based documents for example updated 5 year housing supply
- Local Plan Examination Library (Regulation 19 and 20 and relevant documents)
- Local Plan Examination Library (Regulation 18 and relevant documents)
- Local Plan Examination Library (other documents)
- CD1/4 Local Plan Regulation 19 List of Representors in Number Order (This is a complete list of all people making representations to the Regulation 19 Local Plan Consultation)
- CD1/4 Local Plan Regulation 19 Consultation Responses . Some representations are uploaded as a single stand alone document and this is simply down to the size of the document
The following documents are available online
- CD8/1A Planning Practise Guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/planning-practice-guidance
- CD8/20 Warwickshire Historic Towns Studyhttps://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ (contact Warwickshire County Council)
Last updated Wednesday, 3rd March 2021
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