Planning Inspectorate Newsletter - Issue 11
Message from the Chief Executive
Welcome to the latest edition of the Planning Inspectorate Newsletter.
The most important development for us since the publication of our last issue is that the Planning Act received Royal Assent on 26 November. The legislation will have a marked effect on the way we will work in the future. Further information on this can be found in the article entitled ‘21st Century appeals system’ in this issue. Please look out for a further special ‘Planning Act’ edition of the Newsletter in the New Year which will provide more information about the impact of the Act from our perspective.
I am pleased to refer to the recent publication of the fourteenth report from the Advisory Panel on Standards for the Planning Inspectorate. The Panel has confirmed that the quality of our work remains at a high standard and that there has been a general improvement in performance. We are justifiably proud of this significant achievement.
This edition also includes articles which reflect our communications to the wider planning audience. There is a report of the 11th Abercrombie lecture which was given by our Deputy Chief Executive, Leonora Rozee, and also an account about Pip Williams, a student at the University of the West of England, who was invited to speak on the subject of her Master’s dissertation at a Planning Inspectorate training event for Inspectors.
Finally, as we welcome the New Year, it is important to note that 2009 is our centenary year. This represents a landmark for us; an opportunity to take stock of what we have achieved so far and to look at methods of improving the delivery of our services for the future.
As always, I welcome your comments on the items in this issue, or suggestions for future articles.
Katrine Sporle
Chief Executive
January 2009
- Message from the Chief Executive
- 21st Century Appeals System
- Householder Appeals Service
- LDF Procedure Guidance
- What Inspectors get up to on their holidays
- Natural England
- Abercrombie Lecture
- Distribution of Enforcement Appeal Forms and Booklets
- Cycle to Work Sheme
- Planning Student Influences Inspectorate
- Stakeholder Meetings
- Other News
Contact
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21st Century Appeals System
The Planning Act received Royal Assent on 26 November 2008. Leonora Rozee, Deputy Chief Executive and director of Development Plans, Policy and Quality, outlines the key measures to be taken forward through the Act which are to be developed over the forthcoming months.
Householder Appeals Service
Sean Canavan, Head of Quality and Special Projects, provides an update on the Householder Appeals Service, which will soon become the main method of appeal for people wishing to appeal against the refusal of development to their house.
Local Development Framework Procedure Guidance
The Planning Inspectorate procedural guidance relating to the examination of Development Plan Documents (DPDs) has now been published. Chris Pritchard, Team Manager on the Local Development Framework team, presents the key points from the guidance.
What Inspectors get up to on their holidays
Ava Wood, a Principal Inspector with the Planning Inspectorate, has recently returned from a trek in the Himalayas in aid of the charity ‘Headway’ which supports people with a brain injury and those who care for them. In the process Ava raised in excess of £1600 and has produced a memorable report of her trip.
Natural England
Natural England has stated to Local Planning Authorities that they should no longer be consulted on cases involving protected species in general terms. Alison Down, Section Manager on the LDF, General Land Use and Environmental Policy team, outlines the effect on the Planning Inspectorate and what has been put in place to reduce the impact of this change.
Abercrombie Lecture
The Abercrombie lecture series commemorates the outstanding contribution that Sir Patrick Abercrombie made to the study and practice of town and regional planning.
Distribution of Enforcement Appeal Forms and Booklets
A recent review of the arrangements for distributing enforcement appeal forms and the “Making your enforcement appeal” booklets has been undertaken. Tony Wharton, Assistant Director for Enforcement and Costs, explains the changes to the current system and what it means to our customers.
The Planning Inspectorate Cycle to Work Scheme
In 2007 the Planning Inspectorate set up a "Cycle to Work" scheme. "Cycle Solutions" was chosen as the partner to run the scheme. Since its inception, 25 members of staff have taken advantage of the "Tax Free for Bikes" scheme and a number of other Departments have used this as a model, or have approached for advice on starting a similar scheme. Phil Bishop, Personnel Team Manager, provides information on the scheme and its green credentials.
Planning Student Influences Planning Inspectorate
The Planning Inspectorate is always open to fresh ideas. Pip Williams, a student in the School of Built and Natural Environment at the University of the West of England was invited to speak at an Inspector training session in October 2008. This article reproduced here first appeared in issue 81 of 'The Bulletin'; the magazine of the University of the West of England.
Read the "Planning Student Influences Planning Inspectorate" article >>
Sheila Rice, PA to the Chief Executive, provides a summary of matters raised and discussed at Planning Inspectorate Stakeholder meetings in 2008.
Here is a comment by Steve Sordy responding to a press article in the Grantham Journal relating to the Vale of Beauvoir wind farm decision. It is fantastic to receive such praise and we also add our congratulations to David Lavender:
“I have read the report into the wind farm, the first I have ever read. As I worked my way through the 37 pages, I developed a growing sense of admiration for the calm, methodical and unbiased manner in which the many and varied issues had been captured, summarised and presented.
I came to the conclusion that whatever the result had been it would be extremely difficult to challenge. I have no idea whether this is the usual standard to which Planning Inspectors perform, but if they all produce work like this, then the public is being well served – no matter what the result.
Hats off to David Lavender, Planning Inspector, for a masterful piece of work!”
Congratulations also to Mike Hale, a Higher Planning Officer (HPO) with the Planning Inspectorate who recently received the Royal Town Planning Institute National Prize for the best performance on an RTPI accredited undergraduate programme. Well done Mike!
Next Issue: The next full issue of the Planning Inspectorate newsletter will be published in early March. Watch out for a special ‘Planning Act’ edition soon.
