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Guidance

Guidance for Programme Officers: Local Plan Examinations (legacy system)

Practical guidance on the role and responsibilities of a Programme Officer (PO) during the examination of a local plan.

Updates to this page

From:
Planning Inspectorate
Published:
2 April 2019
Last updated:
20 July 2026
Show all updates

  1. (legacy system) added to the title

  2. Added information about the new plan-making system.

  3. Guidance updated to explain in-person/physical (‘real’), ‘virtual’ video or telephone conference, blended events or a ‘blended’ mix of formats for each or different sessions

  4. Updated to reflect the latest Government planning guidance

  5. Covid-19 content and link to now archived content removed.

  6. Update to the second paragraph of 'Qualities of an Effective Programme Officer'

  7. Link added to the new guide: Local plans: taking part in examinations

  8. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Guidance for Programme Officers: Local Plan Examinations

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Details

For plans under the new plan-making system 

If you are submitting your plan under the new system, use the create or update a local plan new system guidance. 

The new plan-making system covers plans that will be prepared and amended under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, as modified by the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023.

It takes account of the 2019 National Planning Policy Framework (the Framework) and the national Planning Practice Guidance (PPG); and it is consistent with the Planning Inspectorate’s (PINS) procedural guidance, the Procedure Guide for Local Plan Examinations.

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