Despite being submitted to the Secretary of State more than three years ago, the Borough Local Plan is still at examination. After a lengthy process involving Covid-related delays and additional hearings, the inspector has finally released a post-hearings advice letter. Commenting on this announcement, Steve Tapscott, Associate Director at Chapman Lily, said ‘the inspector has said she is minded to find the plan sound, which is great news for the borough, but they are not out of the woods yet. A consultation on main modifications still has to take place before the inspector is able to formally conclude and write her full report. Only then can the plan proceed towards adoption. Meanwhile, the borough is at risk of speculative planning applications because the existing plan is over 10 years old and the Council does not have a five-year housing land supply. I am also concerned about the validity of the new plan’s evidence base, given how long it has been in the examination process’.
If you would like to know more about how this might affect you, please contact Chapman Lily Planning.