The Planning Inspectorate are introducing the new checklist on 6 October to streamline local plan examinations
The new Planning Inspectorate checklist will allow final checks of local plans on behalf of the secretary of state before they’re sent for examination.
The checklist will maintain the quality of checks while streamlining the process and minimising risk to local planning authorities.
The Planning Inspectorate ensures plans are suitable for examination
Local planning authorities are required to ensure that their plans are suitable for examination, and the checklist will give inspectors information relating to legal compliance, plan content, and available evidence.
Furthermore, the information will help ensure that all necessary practical arrangements are in place, essential evidence and documents are ready to be submitted, and the plan’s content and rationale are clear.
Once the checklist is completed, the Planning Inspectorate will aim to respond within 10 working days. If deemed ready, the local planning authority will then be invited to submit the plans. If not, recommendations will be made to address the issues.
More information on the checklist can be found in the Procedure Guide and related documents.
Prioritising ease of use of the appeals service
In July, the Planning Inspectorate continued a phased rollout approach of an online appeals service, following a pilot in five boroughs.
The rollout will see all authorities having access to the service by the end of December.
The online appeals service offers advantages through:
- Streamlining the submission and management of appeals
- Offering a more user-friendly Local Planning Authority (LPA) dashboard for reviewing and monitoring cases
- Improving communication between all parties, removing paper-based processes
- Offering a continuous source of feedback to improve the system for users.
This followed on from major changes to the planning appeal process in June. This change made it possible to only consider evidence that was submitted during the application, and not allowing any to be submitted during the appeal.
The intent was to encourage those submitting plans to ensure that all possible evidence is already recorded and submitted.
At the time, Paul Morrison, planning inspectorate CEO, said: “Every delayed planning decision represents potential delays to development and uncertainty for local communities. This change is a common-sense approach to planning that benefits us all by removing unnecessary administrative burdens and focusing on what matters: well-informed, timely decisions based on high-quality applications from the start.”
More information about the rollout of the online appeals service can be found on the Planning Inspectorate’s government website, here.
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