The Planning Inspector, Programme Officer and Council team

Planning Inspector

Planning Inspector Mr David Hogger BA MSc MRTPI MIHT was appointed to undertake an independent examination into the soundness of our Core Strategy.

The inspector’s task was to consider the soundness of the submitted Core Strategy, based on the criteria set out in paragraph 182 of the National Planning Policy Framework (the Framework).  The relevant soundness criteria are whether the Core Strategy is:

  • positively prepared (based on a strategy that seeks to meet objectively assessed development and infrastructure requirements, including unmet requirements from neighbouring authorities where it is reasonable to do so and consistent with achieving sustainable development)
  • justified (the most appropriate strategy when considered against the reasonable alternatives, based on proportionate evidence)
  • effective (the plan should be deliverable over its period and based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic priorities)
  • consistent with national policy (the plan should enable the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with the policies in the Framework)

The inspector has taken into account the representations submitted on the Core Strategy as far as they relate to soundness considerations and a number of informal debates have taken place on the principal matters identified by the inspector, these were called hearing sessions.

Following the closure of the examination, the inspector prepared a report to us with precise recommendations, these recommendations included modifications to the Core Strategy.

Guidance Notes were prepared by the inspector to help people understand the process and  are available below.

 Guidance Note from the Inspector - August 2012 (PDF 187KB)

Programme Officer

The Programme Officer, Ian Kemp, acted as the contact for any person who made representations at the submission stage, and acted as a liaison between the Inspector, the Council and representatives.

He was an independent officer of the examination and worked on behalf of the Inspector to organise and manage the administrative and procedural matters of the examination process. All statements were submitted through him.

Council team

A number of our officers were involved in the hearing sessions, supported by a legal adviser. The following document provides a summary of their roles and areas of expertise:

 Team Biographies (PDF 255KB)

warning signChanges to services over Easter: Due to the bank holidays, our Customer Service Centres will be closed on Friday 29 March and Monday 1 April 2024. There are also changes to your bin collections.  ×

Page Last Updated: Wednesday, 21 September 2016 at 11:41 AM