Planning Inspectorate Newsletter - Issue 5
Inspectorate Staff to Support Government Offices
The finding of unsoundness on the first two LDF core strategies has demonstrated that the Government means business in reforming the planning system. However, it has also led to understandable anxiety in local planning authorities (lpa) about how to ensure that their own plans meet the soundness tests in PPS12.
This has placed some pressure on Government Offices (GO) to provide reassurance and assistance to lpas to make sure that their plans are sound when submitted. This has happened at a time when GO resources are already stretched.
The Inspectorate has accordingly been asked to help, by providing the services of a number of professional planning officers as well as field Inspectors and Inspector Managers to assist GOs in reviewing the preparation of development plan documents before submission and providing guidance to lpas. Because the Inspectorate operates impartially across the country, it has gained a practical overview which enables it to identify both good and less good practice. The Inspectorate’s involvement should thus help to ensure a more consistent approach to the advice and guidance given to lpas about how to deliver the new system, although proper safeguards will be introduced to ensure that potential propriety issues are taken into account, to avoid prejudicing subsequent examinations. The work began in January 2007, and will continue for some 6 months.
Local Development Frameworks Team
