Local Plan - Inspectors to begin examination hearings
The examination hearings for a Local Plan for St Albans District are to start with an opportunity for objectors to raise any concerns.
Two Planning Inspectors, Matthew Birkinshaw and Thomas Bristow, are to assess whether St Albans City and District Council’s Local Plan is sound and complies with all legal requirements.
They are to begin their task by hearing from organisations who have opposed the Local Plan (LP) which the Council submitted to the Government five months ago.
The hearings will take place in public at the Council Chamber in the Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, on Tuesday 29 April to Friday 2 May.
Anyone wanting to follow the proceedings can do so online with the Council providing a live webcast of the event.
Only those who have been invited by the Inspectors to participate will be allowed to speak at the hearings.
They are entitled to be represented by a legal advocate such as a solicitor or barrister with expertise in planning law.
The hearings’ main purpose is to allow the Inspectors to probe arguments put forward by objectors about the LP’s soundness or legal compliance.
On the opening day, they will consider the LP’s legal compliance while on the Wednesday, they will deal with housing growth and strategy.
Thursday is due to be taken up by the principle of Green Belt issues, though not specific sites, while the final day will be reserved for any other business.
The Council may be asked by the Inspectors to respond to any of the objections that are raised and is also entitled to expert legal representation.
Amanda Foley, the Council’s Chief Executive, said:
Producing a Local Plan is one of the most challenging and complex tasks that a planning authority is required to undertake.
The Local Plan that we submitted for examination in November last year is the culmination of more than three years’ work including extensive public consultations.
We are pleased that the examination process will shortly get underway with the first stage allowing for the Inspectors to look in depth at objections.
Supporters of the LP, the Council apart, will not be heard at these hearings, so it may seem a little one sided. However, it is only fair that the Local Plan goes through a robust test such as this.
Following these stage one hearings, the Inspectors will hold a further set of hearings to consider the main issues at a date yet to be decided.
The Inspectors will then compile a report for the Council with its initial findings, setting out their conclusions and any modifications to the LP which they deem necessary.
The LP is a blueprint for the sustainable growth of St Albans District over the next 16 years.
It identifies land suitable for future housing and commercial development as well as the necessary infrastructure.
The proposed LP allows for the building of 15,000 new homes in the District up to 2041 at designated sites. This figure is in accordance with national planning policy guidelines and will include 1,200 social rent properties.
It also provides for £750 million of new infrastructure including nine primary schools, four secondary schools, improvements to public transport, locations for 15,000 jobs, green spaces and health facilities.
You can find out more about the hearings including how to access the webcast here.
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.