Development Management Plan examination hearings announced

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has appointed independent Planning Inspector, Helen Hockenhull BA (Hons) B.Pl MRTPI, to oversee the examination.

Main issues

The DMP sets out where in the borough future development, including homes, businesses, shops and facilities should be provided and the planning policies to guide what that developments looks like. It also includes how we should protect the character of the borough and its heritage, and addresses a wide range of important local planning issues.

The public hearings will focus on what the Inspector considers to be the main issues fundamental to the soundness of the council’s plan.

The Inspector will consider how well the DMP meets the current and future needs of the borough and national planning policy. She will also assess whether the plan has been prepared in accordance with the necessary legal and procedural requirements and the duty to co-operate with neighbouring authorities.

The Inspector must then decide if the council’s plan is ‘sound’ and ‘legally compliant’. If significant changes need to be made (known as ‘main modifications’) further consultation on the plan will be carried out before formally adopting it.

Critical stage

Cllr Keith Foreman, Executive Member for Planning Policy, said: “We are pleased to be able to announce the start date for our DMP examination hearing, which is a critical stage in the progress of our plan.

“We’ve worked hard to ensure the DMP will deliver development that is sustainable and that secures the infrastructure needed, while protecting the character of the borough and what people love about living here. We look forward to hearing the Inspector’s feedback.”

Hearings

Examination hearings are scheduled to begin at 10am on Tuesday 30 October 2018 at Reigate & Banstead Town Hall, Castlefield Road, Reigate, RH2 0SH.

Anyone who made representations in response to the Regulation 19 publication and who asked to be heard in person will be invited by the Inspector to take part in the hearings.

In addition, those who previously registered with the council to be kept up to date about planning policy matters will notified about the hearings.

In the run up to the hearings and throughout the examination period, the submission and examination materials will be made available online and at the Town Hall. Some documents will also be available at libraries across the borough. 

More information

More information can be found on the Development Management Plan page.

Further enquiries should be directed to the independent Programme Officer, Chris Banks, appointed to assist the smooth running of the examination hearings.