Strategic Local Plan: the key dates

A public consultation on the Strategic Local Plan (SLP) for St Albans District opens next month with residents, community groups and developers able to give their views.

An Extraordinary Meeting of St Albans City and District Council voted earlier this month to publish the draft.

It has taken years to produce the plan with the Council holding discussions with interested parties during its inception.

Now the next stage of the process is a formal consultation that will open on Friday 8 January and continue for six weeks.

This follows a previous public consultation in October/November 2014 which in essence asked the public and stakeholders: “what do you think about the draft SLP?”

This next stage is different as representations can only be made on two points:

• Has the SLP been prepared in accordance with statutory procedures and requirements; and

• Is the SLP “sound”, meaning – among other things – is it effective?

This is a chance for people to make representations on these points before the plan’s submission to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. After considering the contributions, the Council may make amendments.

The indicative timetable for the major events to follow was given to a meeting of the Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday 22 December. These include:

• June, 2016: the Council sends the SLP to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Greg Clark;

• November, 2016: an independent Planning Inspector begins an examination; and 

• May, 2017: the Council adopts the plan.

The Council must provide the Planning Inspector with a summary of representations made during the formal consultation.

During the examination, the Inspector assesses whether the SLP has been properly prepared and considers the representations.

Having completed the examination, the Inspector recommends whether the SLP can be adopted as submitted or if changes should be made.

If he finds the plan “unsound,'” it cannot be adopted without significant alterations, potentially requiring further consultation and another examination. The Secretary of State can also “call in” the plan and suggest changes.

The SLP sets out overall development policies for the District until 2031 and identifies land for housing, social amenities, commerce and infrastructure. It provides a framework for the Detailed Local Plan and neighbourhood plans.

Councillor Julian Daly, Leader and Portfolio Holder for Planning and Conservation for St Albans City and District Council, said: “The SLP is the most important work the Council has undertaken for a generation.

“Next year will see a series of further key events including the crucial Planning Inspector’s examination.

“We are confident the plan is sound and that we will stay on schedule with the Council able to adopt it in mid-2017. That will be a huge moment for all involved in putting it together.”

Councillor contact:

Cllr Julian Daly, Leader and Portfolio Holder for Planning and Conservation, St Albans City and District Council 

Tel: 07775 657200 Email: Cllr.J.Daly@stalbans.gov.uk

Contact for the media:

John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City District Council

Tel: 01727 296130 

E-mail: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk