Planning Inspectorate Newsletter - Issue 10
Message from the Chief Executive
Welcome to the latest edition of the Planning Inspectorate Newsletter. We have had a very busy time since the publication of the last issue particularly with the progression of the Planning Bill and publication of our Annual Report and Accounts on July 17th. We have also continued development of the Householder Appeals Service pilot as an alternative to Local Member Review Boards; good progress is being made which we report on in this issue.
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Southgate as our new Director of Casework. Mark is currently Head of Planning and Environmental Assessment with the Environment Agency. He will start in the autumn, replacing Peter Robottom who retired from the post at the end of August having done a tremendous job.
We also have a new Non Executive Director, Professor Colin Jones, who many of you may know from his days in the Welsh Development Agency and Local Government Association. Colin replaces Liz Peace who has completed her two terms of office.
As always, I welcome your comments on the items in this issue, or suggestions for future articles at KatrineSporleNews@pins.gsi.gov.uk.
Katrine Sporle
Chief Executive
September 2008
- Message from the Chief Executive
- Householder Appeals Service
- The Registration of Planning Appeals is Back on Track
- Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards – Biddulph Town Centre Area Action Plan
- Crossrail & Stansted
- Submission of revised proposals at appeal
- Planning Policy Statement 12 and Testing Soundness
- Stakeholder News
Contact
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Householder Appeals Service
Sean Canavan, Head of Quality and Special Projects, provides a further update on progress in the Householder Appeals Service pilot advising that now is the time to get on board with the scheme.
The Registration of Planning Appeals is Back on Track
The backlog of appeals awaiting registration outlined in Issue 9 of the Newsletter has been cleared. Si Bliss, Section Manager on Planning Casework Service Registration offers thanks to those who have assisted and issues a further request about the accuracy of plans and drawings received.
Read the Registration of Planning Appeals is Back on Track Article >>
Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards – Biddulph Town Centre Area Action Plan
Keith Holland, Assistant Director with responsibility for Development Plans, states
"The Biddulph Town Centre Action Area Plan was one of the first Development Plan Documents (DPD) that we examined. The examination into that development plan document was efficiently dealt with by Shelagh Bussey. The success of this DPD demonstrates the way the Local Development Framework System can be used in a flexible and responsive way to promote positive planning."
Read the project summary 
67kb submitted by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and the RTPI award letter 167kb.
Crossrail & Stansted
In July 2008 the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government called in applications for a proposed second runway at Stansted Airport and following Royal Assent, the Crossrail Act 2008 approved the construction of a cross London rail link. Bob Wiggins, Head of Branch for Environment and Specialist Casework, outlines the involvement of the Planning Inspectorate in these two major projects.
Submission of revised proposals at appeal
Peter Burley, Assistant Director with responsibility for environmental and specialist casework, explains the interpretation of the Wheatcroft tests that Inspectors adopt towards revised proposals submitted at appeal stage.
Read the Submission of revised proposals at appeal Article >>
Planning Policy Statement 12 and Testing Soundness
In June 2008 a revision to Planning Policy Statement 12 “Creating strong, safe and prosperous communities through Local Spatial Planning” was published. Keith Holland, Assistant Director with responsibility for Development Plans, discusses the benefits of the new Planning Policy Statement and highlights the Planning Inspectorate’s guidance document.
Read the Planning Policy Statement 12 and Testing Soundness Article >>
Stakeholder News
Stakeholders
So far this year Stakeholder meetings have been held with the following groups:
Regional Bodies
Advisory Panel on Standards/Administrative Justice and Tribunal Council
Development Community
General Interest Groups
Rights of Way Groups
At the meetings The Inspectorate gave updates on:
Performance
Local Development Frameworks
Planning Bill (where it affects the Inspectorate)
Meetings are being held with Professional Bodies and Public Bodies in September. After that we will be producing a feedback note to cover all the meetings held this year.
Sheila Rice
