Development Management Policies Examination
Inspector's Report Received
The Council has now received the Inspector's Report that confirms, subject to the modifications being made as outlined in his report, that the Development Management Policies LDD is sound. The Council has made these changes, and will be reporting the documents to the Executive Committee on 24 June and Full Council on 9 July for adoption on 26 July 2013.
View the Inspector's Report
Development Management Policies LDD incorporating modifications (Final document to be adopted)
Modifications Consultation 28 March – 13 May 2013
Following the hearing sessions that were held on the 12 and 13 March 2013 the Council proposed some Main and Additional Modifications to the Development Management Policies LDD. Details of the consultation on the Main and Additional Modifications can be viewed here.
The Inspector
Planning Inspector; Robin Brooks BA (Hons) MRTPI has been appointed to undertake an independent examination into the soundness of the Three Rivers Development Management Policies Local Development Document.
The Inspector’s task is to consider the soundness of the submitted Local Development Document, based on the criteria set out in paragraph 182 of the National Planning Policy Framework (the Framework). The relevant soundness criteria are whether the DPD is: 1 – 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); 2 - justified (the most appropriate strategy when considered against the reasonable alternatives, based on proportionate evidence); 3 – effective (the plan should be deliverable over its period and based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic priorities); and 4 – consistent with national policy(the plan should enable the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with the policies in the Framework).
The Inspector will take into account the representations submitted on the LDD as far as they relate to soundness considerations and a series of informal debates may take place on the principal matters identified by the Inspector, these are termed Hearing Sessions.
Following the closure of the Examination, the Inspector will prepare a report to the Council with precise recommendations; these recommendations may include modifications to the LDD, if such a request is made by the Council.
The Inspector has prepared an Information Note which establishes Examination procedures and to assist representors understanding of the process, these notes are available here. Any queries people may have regarding the Examination process should be directed to the Programme Officer who will be happy to assist.
Inspector Contact with Three Rivers District Council
Inspector's Letter 15 January 2013
Council's Response to Inspector's Letter of 15 January 2013
Inspector's Letter 1 March 2013
Council's Response to Inspector's Letter of 1 March 2013
Inspector's Letter 21 March 2013
Council's Response to Inspector's Letter 21 March 2013
Inspector's Letter 25 March 2013
Council's Response to Inspector's Letter 25 March 2013
Venue and Timetable
The Hearing Sessions will open at 10.00am on Tuesday 12th March 2013 within the Colne Room of Watersmeet Theatre, High Street, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 1EH. A Programme, together with the Inspector's list of issues and questions for discussion can be found here.
Agenda for the discussions for the 12 March may be found here.
Agenda for the discussion for the 13 March may be found here.
Submitted Statements
In response to the Inspector's Issues and Questions the following statements have been received, the content of which will be discussed during the hearings on the day's indicated:
Legislative and Procedural Requirements (Tuesday 12th March 2013)
The Plan as a Whole (Tuesday 12th March 2013)
Residential Design (Tuesday (12th March 2013)
Green Belt (Tuesday 12th March 2013)
Climate Change (Wednesday 13th March 2013)
TRDC Statement
Environment Agency Statement
Green Environment and Recreation (Wednesday 13th March 2013)
TRDC Statement
Canal and Rivers Trust Statement
Evidence Base and Supporting Documents
In preparing the Development Management Policies LDD the Council both refer to and were informed by a number of documents that together form the 'Evidence Base' for the Examination. The Evidence Base together with any proposed modifications to the Plan may be found here.