Procedure Guide for Local Plan Examinations
Guide aimed at all those involved in the process and concerned with the procedural aspects of examining a local plan.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
This guide includes advice on:
- Glossary of abbreviations
- Introduction
- Overview of the examination
- Section 1: Before submission
- Section 2: Submission
- Section 3: Initial assessment and organisation of the hearing sessions
- Section 4: Preparation for the hearing sessions
- Section 5: Conduct of the hearing sessions
- Section 6: Main modifications to the plan
- Section 7: The Inspector’s report
- Section 8: Quality assurance, fact-check procedure and delivery of final report to the LPA
- Section 9: Other procedures and matters
- Technical seminars and meetings
- Formal presentation of evidence and cross-examination
- Pre-hearing meetings
- Conduct of all parties during the examination
Updates to this page
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Update to to reflect the new pre-examination checklist
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Changes to reflect the Minister’s Letter; Amending ‘DLUHC’ to ‘MHCLG’; Inclusion of guidance on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the production of hearing statements; Updates to invoicing procedures to reflect the current service level agreement; Correction of minor typographical errors.
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Guidance updated around the setting up and running of events.
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Linking off to new guide: Local plans: taking part in examinations
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MHCLG to DLUHC
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Link to Privacy policy updated
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This sixth edition has been updated to take account of recent experience of examinations and the advisory visits which Inspectors make to local planning authorities LPAs.
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Please note that the Procedure Guide pre-dates measures to limit the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) and it may not currently be possible to follow some of the advice it contains.
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Booklet updated
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Guide updated to take account of more recent refinements in practice and the update to the Planning Practice Guidance published on 19 May 2016
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First published.