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Weight, Balance and Soundness Weight, Balance and Soundness Getting through an Local Plan EIPGetting through an Local Plan EIP
Mike HaydenHead of Regeneration Chesterfield Borough
Council
Agenda
1. Introduction to Chesterfield
2. Core Strategy timeline
3. Examination in numbers
4. Getting off to a good start
5. Soundness and key issues
6. Battles and embracing attack
7. Selecting the team
8. Keeping it sweet
9. Modifications
10. Dodging any curve balls
Introduction to Chesterfield
Core Strategy Timeline
Adoption!!!July 2013
Fur
ther
C
onsu
ltatio
nsC
LG A
nnou
nce
RS
S r
evoc
atio
n
2010
Tar
gete
d C
onsu
ltatio
nsLo
calis
m A
ct(N
ovem
ber
)
2011
Pub
lica
tion
(Feb
ruar
y)
Foc
usse
d
Cha
nges
(Aug
ust)
NP
PF
(Apr
il)
Sub
mis
sion
(Sep
tem
ber)
2012
RS
S R
evok
ed(A
pril)
Insp
ecto
r’s R
epor
t(J
une)
Hea
rings
(Ja
n)
Mod
ifica
tions
(M
arch
)
201
1 h
ouse
hold
P
roje
ctio
ns
(Ap
ril)
2013
Sco
pin
g
Issu
es
& O
ptio
ns
2007-9
Examination in numbers
144 representees Over 600 separate comments / objections 68 focussed changes – consulted on 42 extra changes – part of submission
package 25 EIP participants (27 invited) 5 days of hearings, 8 sessions (9 scheduled) 49 main modifications
Getting off to a good start…
PINS advisory visit Officer training Attended other LPA Core Strategy hearings PAS soundness and legal compliance checklists Well organised and referenced submission pack Key ‘critical’ evidence base documents Programme officer ready Make it as easy as possible Practicalities are important Is the plan sound?
Test of Soundness
Positively prepared – based on a strategy to meet objectively assessed development and infrastructure requirements
Justified – most appropriate when considered against reasonable alternatives, based on proportionate evidence
Effective – deliverable, based on joint working on strategic priorities
Consistent with national policy – enable delivery of sustainable development
Key Issues
Spatial Strategy Housing – numbers and distribution Delivery of strategic site Duty to cooperate
Duty to cooperate
What we did: record of meetings and joint work set out in
Statement of Cooperation statement of common ground with a
neighbouring LPA accepted late objection from neighbour LPA
What we will do next time: formal process of cooperation with audit trail include formal joint member process
Housing numbers - balancing act
Housing Issues Backlog and under-delivery Creaking SHMA – 2008(!)
Balanced against Affordable housing viability evidence Stable social housing need Housing requirement – supported growth and
RSS conformity Household projections
Battles – embracing attack
Early questions, matters and issues will give a clear indication of problem areas
Skeletons will be discovered Be open about any weak spots – but commit
to action to deal with them Should be no surprises
Selecting the team
Know your stuff inside out
Prepare your support staff
Seniority is good, knowledge of plan is better
If more than one lead:- consistent key messages
- hot-seat where necessary
- support each other
Keeping it sweet
Keeping it sweet – starters
Website – keep on top of requests Note taker Tour of borough Positive and quick responses Clear referencing system for documents Can do, flexible attitude
Keeping it sweet – main course
Don’t fudge answers Keep your library in good order Delegated authority to make decisions quickly Flexibility – mid-hearing consultation, statements
of common ground, late submissions… LISTEN – what is said and what is not said Observe how the Inspector responds to other
participants Does he/she write it down!! Occasional Victoria sponge…
Modifications – balancing act
Balance• Too many – implies submitted plan is
unsound• Too few – risk unsoundness / weaknesses
Out of 44 – 14 were changes to policy wording
All put forward by the council, no extras from the
Inspector
Curve balls
Late objection from neighbouring LPA
HS2 route announcement
RSS Revocation 2011 Interim
Household Projections
Success…
…means Secretary of State approval!