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Weight, Balance and Soundness Getting through an Local Plan EIP

Weight, Balance and Soundness Getting through an Local Plan EIP. Mike Hayden Head of Regeneration Chesterfield Borough Council. Agenda. Introduction to Chesterfield Core Strategy timeline Examination in numbers Getting off to a good start Soundness and key issues

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Weight, Balance and Soundness Getting through an Local Plan EIP

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  1. Weight, Balance and Soundness Getting through an Local Plan EIP Mike Hayden Head of Regeneration Chesterfield Borough Council

  2. Agenda • Introduction to Chesterfield • Core Strategy timeline • Examination in numbers • Getting off to a good start • Soundness and key issues • Battles and embracing attack • Selecting the team • Keeping it sweet • Modifications • Dodging any curve balls

  3. Introduction to Chesterfield

  4. Core Strategy Timeline 2007-9 2010 2011 2012 2013 Inspector’s Report (June) RSS Revoked (April) Further Consultations Targeted Consultations Focussed Changes (August) Hearings (Jan) Publication (February) Scoping NPPF (April) Submission (September) Localism Act (November) Modifications (March) CLG Announce RSS revocation 2011 household Projections (April) Issues & Options Adoption!!! July 2013

  5. Examination in numbers • 144 representees • Over 600 separate comments / objections • 68 focussed changes – consulted on • 42 extra changes – part of submission package • 25 EIP participants (27 invited) • 5 days of hearings, 8 sessions (9 scheduled) • 49 main modifications

  6. Getting off to a good start… • PINS advisory visit • Officer training • Attended other LPA Core Strategy hearings • PAS soundness and legal compliance checklists • Well organised and referenced submission pack • Key ‘critical’ evidence base documents • Programme officer ready • Make it as easy as possible • Practicalities are important • Is the plan sound?

  7. Test of Soundness • Positively prepared – based on a strategy to meet objectively assessed development and infrastructure requirements • Justified – most appropriate when considered against reasonable alternatives, based on proportionate evidence • Effective – deliverable, based on joint working on strategic priorities • Consistent with national policy – enable delivery of sustainable development

  8. Key Issues • Spatial Strategy • Housing – numbers and distribution • Delivery of strategic site • Duty to cooperate

  9. Duty to cooperate What we did: • record of meetings and joint work set out in Statement of Cooperation • statement of common ground with a neighbouring LPA • accepted late objection from neighbour LPA What we will do next time: • formal process of cooperation with audit trail • include formal joint member process

  10. Housing numbers - balancing act Housing Issues • Backlog and under-delivery • Creaking SHMA – 2008(!) Balanced against • Affordable housing viability evidence • Stable social housing need • Housing requirement – supported growth and RSS conformity • Household projections

  11. Battles – embracing attack • Early questions, matters and issues will give a clear indication of problem areas • Skeletons will be discovered • Be open about any weak spots – but commit to action to deal with them • Should be no surprises

  12. Selecting the team • Know your stuff inside out • Prepare your support staff • Seniority is good, knowledge of plan is better • If more than one lead: -consistent key messages - hot-seat where necessary - support each other

  13. Keeping it sweet

  14. Keeping it sweet – starters • Website – keep on top of requests • Note taker • Tour of borough • Positive and quick responses • Clear referencing system for documents • Can do, flexible attitude

  15. Keeping it sweet – main course • Don’t fudge answers • Keep your library in good order • Delegated authority to make decisions quickly • Flexibility – mid-hearing consultation, statements of common ground, late submissions… • LISTEN – what is said and what is not said • Observe how the Inspector responds to other participants • Does he/she write it down!! • Occasional Victoria sponge…

  16. Modifications – balancing act Balance • Too many – implies submitted plan is unsound • Too few – risk unsoundness / weaknesses Out of 44 – 14 were changes to policy wording All put forward by the council, no extras from the Inspector

  17. Curve balls • Late objection from neighbouring LPA • HS2 route announcement • RSS Revocation • 2011 Interim Household Projections

  18. Success… …means Secretary of State approval!

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