LPAs will be in a Humpty Dumpty world of uncertainty with prospect of local plan intervention

Date: 22/7/2015

In a Written Statement planning minister Brandon Lewis has stated that the government will intervene in cases where local authorities have failed to produce a local plan by 'early 2017' and arrange for the documents to be written 'in consultation with local people'.

POS believes the statement raises some ambiguity:

1. What does 'early 2017' mean? John Silvester, Communications Manager said "This could be anything from January to St George's Day|"
2. What does 'having produced a local plan' mean? David Hackforth, a Past President of the Society, commented that this could be any number of things such as pre-submission draft,  submission or even adoption.
3. What constitutes a local plan? Silvester said "does a Core Strategy count, or does the LPA have to have 'produced' a part 2 plan as well?"

Hackforth indicated that "without greater clarity on these points, LPAs will be in a Humpty Dumpty world of uncertainty about what they are expected to do and by when."

"Nevertheless," addded Silvester "there is some good stuff in the statement as well; for example telling PINS that good enough is OK and stop being too fussy over non central issues."

John Silvester (President 2002/3)

David Hackforth (President 2009/10)

• read the Ministerial Statement