Minerals and Waste Local Plan Examination
The Minerals and Waste Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination on 29 July 2021.
The Minerals and Waste Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination on 29 July 2021. A
Submission Notification Letter [340kb] has been sent to all those registered on our planning consultation portal setting out details of the submission and where the submission documents can be found.
Latest News
Hearing Sessions will commence at 10am on Tuesday 1 February 2022 they will now take place virtually via Zoom.
The move to virtual hearings has necessitated amendments to the Inspector's Guidance Note (INSP5) [150kb] and the production of Guidance on Virtual Participation (INSP6) [92kb].
Representors are urged to note that the submission date for receipt of written representations has now been brought forward to Friday 17th December 2021. It is intended that Session Agendas will be available by Friday 7th January 2022.
The Programme for Hearings (INSP4) [139kb] has also been updated following receipt of requests from representors to participate within the hearing sessions.
The Council have also provided Schedule of Proposed Modifications to the Plan (EXAM2) [778kb]. The Schedule of Proposed Modifications is likely to evolve during the Examination process. If the Inspector ultimately decides that the Plan is capable of being found sound subject to modifications he will take a view on which modifications are required prior to a further consultation.
The Inspector
Planning Inspector, Brian Sims BSc CEng MICE MRTPI has been appointed to undertake an independent examination into the soundness of the West Berkshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan (the Plan).
The Inspector's task is to consider the soundness and legal compliance of the submitted Plan, based on the criteria set out in paragraph 35 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2021 (the Framework) and associated regulations, namely the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the Localism Act 2011 and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.
The Inspector will take into account the representations submitted upon the Submission Plan as far as they relate to soundness considerations. A number of informal debates will take place on the principal matters identified by the Inspector these are termed Hearing Sessions.
At the end of the Examination, the Inspector will prepare a report to the Council with precise recommendations, these recommendations may include modifications to the Plan, if such a request is made by the Council. A Procedure Guide for Local Plan Examinations is available from the Planning Inspectorate.
The Inspector has submitted an Initial Note [106kb] to which the Council have Replied [49kb]. Additional Guidance Guidance Note (INSP2) [152kb], Amended Guidance (INSP5) [150kb] and Guidance on Virtual Participation (INSP6) [92kb] have been prepared by the Inspector to help people understand the process. Any queries people may have regarding the Examination process should be directed to the Programme Officer who will be happy to assist.
The Programme Officer
The Programme Officer, Ian Kemp, will act as the contact for any person who has an interest in the Examination and as a liaison between the Inspector, Council and Representors.
He is an independent Officer of the Examination and works on behalf of the Inspector to organise and manage the administrative and procedural elements of the Examination process.
Any matters that anyone wishes to raise with the Inspector should be submitted via the Programme Officer.
Contact details:
Ian Kemp
Programme Officer
PO Box 241
Droitwich
WR9 1DW
Mobile: 0772 300 9166
Email: idkemp@icloud.com
Hearing Sessions and Timetable
Hearing Sessions will commence at 10am on Tuesday 1 February 2022 they will take place virtually via Zoom.
The Inspector's Matters, Issues and Questions and updated hearing programme [139kb] (MIQs) are also now available. The MIQs will form the basis of discussion during the hearing sessions and provide the framework for any further written responses representors may wish to submit. The MIQs also contain a provisional Programme for the hearing sessions.
It is possible that the Programme may change as we move thorough the process, however, any amendments to the Programme will be displayed on the website and the Programme Officer will endeavour to keep those participating in the hearings appraised on any changes.
Evidence Base Documents and Examination Library
In preparing the Plan, the Council both refer to and were informed by a number of documents that together form the 'Evidence Base' for the Examination. These documents can be accessed through the examination library.
Privacy Notices
For more information on how we will use your data during the examianation please take a look at our Privacy Notices.