Guidance

Setting up a venue for a public inquiry, hearing or examination

Information for the local authority when setting up a venue and the facilities needed for public inquiries, hearings and examinations.

• From: Planning Inspectorate
• Published: 25 March 2013
• Last updated: 3 August 2023
  Show all updates

  1. 3 August 2023

     Link to annex a added

  2. 10 May 2023

     Section 6.2. updated with Inspector requirements.

  3. 21 December 2022

     References and guidance on Covid-19 removed

  4. 21 January 2022

     Monitor requirements updated.

  5. 21 January 2022

     Updated to include requirements for local planning authorities to provide a monitor for the Inspector at an event.

  6. 26 August 2021

     Wi-Fi guidance under electronic working facilities updated

  7. 21 June 2021

     New section added: 2.2 The venue must adhere to Government guidance in relation to COVID-19 where relevant.

  8. 23 June 2017

     Section 9 & 11 are new and the whole document has had some minor updates.

  9. 31 March 2016

     Venue and facilities note updated

  10. 25 March 2013

      First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Public inquiries; Hearings and Examinations - venue and facilities requirements

HTML

ANNEX 1 – Suggested layout of an inquiry room

JPEG, 45.8 KB

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Details

This guidance explains:

• the venue
• health and safety
• location
• access advice
• the room
• retiring rooms
• layout of the inquiry room
• layout of the hearing or examination room
• Welsh language
• other languages
• cloakrooms and toilets
• photocopying