What the Inspector will consider
Following last month’s Local Plan consultation announcement in this column, we now approach the next phase: the Examination in Public.
At the Examination, an independent inspector will review the policies and proposed site allocations in the plan to consider whether they are ‘sound’, which means they have to meet the following tests:
• positively prepared – the plan should be prepared based on a strategy which seeks to meet objectively assessed development and infrastructure requirements, including unmet require-ments from neighbouring authorities where it is reasonable to do so and consistent with achieving sustainable development
• justified – the plan should be the most appropriate strategy, when consid-ered against the reasonable alternatives, based on proportionate evidence
• effective – the plan should be deliverable over its period and based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic priorities consistent with national policy – the plan should enable the delivery of sustainable devel-opment in accordance with the policies in the Framework