Planning Inspectorate Newsletter - Issue 4
Message from the Chief Executive
Welcome to our 4th Newsletter, which I hope you will find informative and optimistic. Informative in the range of topics and optimistic because, despite ongoing challenges, I feel that progress is being made. We are on track with our recovery plan which seeks the elimination of all backlogs by February next year and we are now seeing the first development plan documents come through the system, which enables us all to learn, move forward and make positive progress.
I hope you will find time to share your own views and experiences with us. And I would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes just to complete the feedback form so that we can improve on our next Newsletter in line with what you want to see.
Please continue to send any comments on this edition, or suggestions for future articles to me at KatrineSporleNews@pins.gsi.gov.uk
Katrine Sporle
Chief Executive
November 2006
- Message from the Chief Executive
- Planning Inspectorate Recovery Plan
- Local Development Frameworks in England: Early Experience of Examining DPDs
- Guide to the Examination of Local Development Plans in Wales
- Information Commissioner’s Decisions on Premature Release of Inspector Reports
- Planning Casework Service
- Stakeholder Meetings 2006
- Other News
Contact
If you wish to subscribe/unsubscribe to this newsletter please contact the Planning Inspectorate Webteam.
Planning Inspectorate Recovery Plan
Phil Hammond, Operations Manager, Chartroom sets out how the Inspectorate plans to eliminate the backlog of hearing and inquiry appeals in England before the end of the financial year.
Local Development Frameworks in England: Early Experience of Examining DPDs
The Planning Inspectorate agreed to publish details of points arising from its experience during examination of the first Development Plan Documents to be submitted. A report from the Inspectorate's Local Development Framework team sets out the most important points to have emerged so far.
Guide to the Examination of Local Development Plans in Wales
The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 introduced great changes in the way development plans will be produced. It also created different development plan systems in Wales and England.
Chris Sweet, Development Plans and Countryside Case Officer, PINS Wales, explains the background to the Guide to the Examination of Local Development Plans, published in October 2006.
Information Commissioner’s Decisions on Premature Release of Inspector Reports
Although not considered a public authority in its own right, the Planning Inspectorate is subject to the Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Regulations as an Agency of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
The Information Commissioner has recently upheld two separate decisions by the DCLG to refuse a request for access to an Inspector’s report at a time when the Secretary of State had yet to determine the called in application.
In each case, the Commissioner recognised the significance that planning decisions have on local communities and society in general, but accepted that, at some point, it was appropriate to “close the book” on public consultation to allow a decision to be made.
As the Secretary of State has now issued decisions on the called in applications, the Inspectors' reports and these decisions are now in the public domain.
Planning Casework Service
Jo Fox, Planning Casework Service Customer Relationship Manager, explains the Inspectorate’s decision to suspend the scanning of documents received in hard copy and publication of evidence on the Planning Portal from 18 September 2006.
Stakeholder News
Stakeholder Meetings 2006
Sheila Rice, Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive provides details of meetings with the Inspectorate’s stakeholders during 2006.
Inspectorate wins award for Tomorrow’s Planners project
The Planning Inspectorate won the Partnership Award for the Tomorrow’s Planners project at the first ever Civil Service Diversity and Equality Awards which took place on 26th October 2006 at Lancaster House, London.
The awards recognised the outstanding achievements of civil servants at all levels in the field of diversity and equality excellence. The ceremony was hosted by Rageh Omaar, with awards presented by Sir Gus O’Donnell, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service.
Over 170 entries were received from across all regions, departments and agencies and from a wide range of diversity and equality areas.
Ola Omishoka, Path National Recruitment Officer pictured with Baljeet Bennett, the Inspectorate's Diversity Officer
Further details of the project and the award
Work shadowing
Simon Barnes, a solicitor whose background is in licensing and criminal law, recently spent a day at the Planning Inspectorate to learn more about planning law and how the planning system operates in practice. He has written about the experience.
Inspectors get on their bikes
The Inspectorate encourages staff to use sustainable transport wherever possible. Staff are encouraged to use public transport where possible when travelling on official business. Another initiative is to support staff who use a bicycle for travel to work and while on official business. Graham Dudley, Helen Slade and Neil Pope (pictured), are among those Inspectors who cycle to site visits, hearings or inquiries. Graham and Helen share some of their experiences.
Oxford Joint Planning Law Conference
Leonora Rozee, OBE, the Inspectorate’s Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Policy gave a major paper to the Oxford Joint Planning Law Conference over the weekend of 16th and 17th September. Her paper, Meeting the Challenges of the New Local Development Framework System, was very well received.
RTPI Summer School
Several members of Inspectorate staff were among those who attended this year’s RTPI Summer School in Canterbury. They share their impressions of the event.
Alan Langton
In July we said goodbye to Alan Langton, who retired from his post as Director: Wales, Major and Specialist Casework. Well not exactly goodbye because after a couple of months well earned break, Alan is now back working again as an Inspector. Our Chart Room have wasted no time in fixing up a programme of work for him.
Reader Feedback
Please spare a few minutes to complete the feedback form so that we can improve on our next Newsletter in line with what you want to see. Thank you.
