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!