Planning Inspectorate Newsletter - Issue 13
Message from the Chief Executive
Welcome to the latest edition of the Planning Inspectorate Newsletter.
I am delighted that the Planning Inspectorate has made real improvement this year particularly in relation to our performance targets. Over the last 12 months we have also made excellent progress in readiness for our 21st Century Appeals service following the 2008 Planning Act, including our new faster approach to Householder Appeals. I am also particularly pleased that steady progress is now being made with regard to the number of DPDs being submitted.
Over the next year we need to build on this work to ensure that we further help deliver the Government’s reform of the planning system, making the appeals system proportionate, customer focused and efficient.
I hope you will find a great deal of interest to read in this Newsletter. It gives me great pleasure to pay tribute to Leonora Rozee as she retires and to have persuaded her to pen some reflections on the development of the Planning Inspectorate over the years. And I am delighted to be able to add my own congratulations to Kath Haddrell and Mike Harris – see why by reading on!
As always, I welcome your comments on the items in this issue, or suggestions for future articles.
Katrine Sporle
July 2009
- Message from the Chief Executive
- Bespoke Timetables – A new approach for longer inquiries.
- Planning Act 2008 – Update
- Evidence Base Good Practice
- Retirement Reflections
- Backdale Quarry
- Stakeholder Meetings
- Other News
Contact
If you wish to subscribe/unsubscribe to this newsletter please contact the Planning Inspectorate Webteam.
Bespoke Timetables – A new approach for longer inquiries.
The Planning Inspectorate has developed a bespoke approach to longer inquiries to provide a more flexible and responsive process to dealing with the most complex cases. Peter Burley, Assistant Director, Environment and Specialist Casework, outlines the new approach.
Read the "Bespoke Timetables – A new approach for longer inquiries." article >>
Planning Act 2008 – Update
The Planning Act 2008 introduced changes designed to ensure that the appeal process is simpler and more efficient. These came into effect in April 2009. Three main areas of change are the Householder Appeals Service (HAS), date fixing for events, and the Planning Inspectorate’s power to determine the procedure. This article examines these areas providing an update on the progress made and explains why they have already been a success.
Evidence Base Good Practice
David Vickery, Senior Planning Inspector (SHPI) Development Plans outlines the evidence Inspectors look for when examining Development Plans and offers advice on good practice.
Read the "Evidence Base Good Practice" article >>
Retirement Reflections
Leonora Rozee OBE, Director of Policy, Quality and Development Plans, offers her thoughts on the history and evolution of the Planning Inspectorate as she enters into retirement.
Read the "Retirement Reflections" article >>
Backdale Quarry
Enforcement Inspectors deal with some complex minerals appeals and one such case was at Backdale Quarry in the Peak District National Park. David Baldock, Principal Housing and Planning Inspector on Enforcement, explains the history and background to this appeal.
Read the "Backdale Quarry" article >>
STAKEHOLDER NEWS
Stakeholder meetings during the year have been arranged as follows:
| 14 July | - | General Interest Groups |
| 16 July | - | Rights of Way Groups |
| 21 July | - | Development Community |
| 3 September | - | Professional Groups |
| 2 October | - | Public Bodies |
| October/November | - | Legal Bodies |
Feedback notes from these meetings will be published in the Newsletter at the appropriate time.
RTPI SW TODAY'S & TOMORROW'S LEADERS AWARDS - WINNERS ANNOUNCED 
The planning profession has always faced huge challenges and the current global economic climate is particularly demanding for every planner in whatever sector or specialism they are employed. The Today's and Tomorrow's Leaders’ Award is a new initiative established by Martin Willey, RTPI President for 2009 and intended to recognise the outstanding contributions of planners to their profession.
Following the voting process for the nominations in the South West, I am pleased to announce the winners as follows:
Today's Leaders Award - Kath Haddrell - The Planning Inspectorate
Tomorrow's Leaders Award - Mike Harris - The Planning Inspectorate
Congratulations to Kath and Mike who were each presented with a certificate and bottle of champagne by the President, Martin Willey, at the RTPI SW Annual Dinner on 3rd July in Exeter. At the end of the Presidential year, each of the Award winners will also be invited to London to a special Today's and Tomorrow's Leaders' meeting.
HOUSEHOLDER APPEALS SERVICE SHORTLISTED FOR RTPI AWARD
The recently launched Householder Appeals Service has been shortlisted for one of the Royal Town Planning Institute’s prestigious awards for 2009.
The new service which cuts by half the time taken to determine a householder appeal has seen a number of initiatives introduced to help speed up the overall process. These include, less form filling, less covering paperwork to be submitted, electronic submissions for those with internet access and a simplified appeal site visit procedure.
PLANNING INSPECTORATE GAINS OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ACCREDITATION
The Planning Inspectorate has been successful in achieving OHSAS 18001:2007 accreditation for its Occupational Health and Safety Management System. The Inspectorates’ management team have always been committed to the health and safety of employees and those who may be affected in the conduct of business. Achievement of the OHSAS standard was a business objective for 2009/10.
The aim of the OHSAS standard is to support and promote good Occupational Health and Safety practices and, having achieved the required standard, the Inspectorate has in place a commitment to work to continuously improve health and safety in the business to ensure that it retains the accreditation.
Next Issue: The next issue of the Planning Inspectorate newsletter will be published in October/November.
