Core Strategy Examination
The Inspectors Report on the Examination into the Three Rivers Core Strategy DPD
The Council has received the Inspector's Report on the Examination into the Three Rivers Core Strategy DPD. The report outlines the Inspector's view that the Core Strategy is sound and should be adopted, subject to certain changes.
The Core Strategy was adopted by Full Council on 17 October 2011 and can be viewed on the Core Strategy page of this web site together with the Adoption Statements and Sustainability Appraisals. The Inspector's report and appendices are available to download below.
Appendix A - Council’s changes that go to soundness (doc)
Appendix B - Council's minor changes (doc)
Appendix C - Council’s changes required to reinstate references to the Regional Strategy (doc)
Details of the Examination can be viewed below:
The Inspector
A Government Planning Inspector Sue Turner RIBA, MRTPI, IHBC has been appointed to undertake an independent examination into the soundness of the Core Strategy.
The role of the Inspector is to consider whether document (a) is legally compliant (i.e. meets the requirements of the Planning Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and associated Regulations) and (b) satisfies the criteria for soundness (i.e. whether it is justified, effective and consistent with national policy).
The Inspector will take into account the representations submitted on the Core Strategy and it is likely that a number of informal debates will 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 with precise recommendations which will be binding on the Council.
Guidance Notes, available below, have been prepared by the Inspector to help people understand the process any queries people may have regarding the Examination process should be directed to the Programme Officer who will be happy to assist.
Core Strategy Examination Guidance Notes (doc)
Statements submitted to the Examination
Following the deadline for receipt of further statements in response to the Inspector’s Issues and Questions the following submissions were received from Representors.
Matter 1 (Tuesday 7 June 2011 - 10am)
- Overall Spatial Strategy
- Space Shaping Policies
TRDC Matter 1 Overall Spatial Strategy (HS)
TRDC Matter 1 Place Shaping Policies (HS)
Bidwells Welcome Trust Matter 1 (WS)
Bidwells Western Range Matter 1 (WS)
British Waterways Matter 1 (WS)
Dacorum Borough Council Matter 1 (HS)
Hertfordshire County Council Matter 1 (HS)
Hertfordshire County Council Appendix 1 (HS)
Hertfordshire County Council Appendix 2 (HS)
Hertfordshire County Council Appendix 3 (HS)
Matter 2 (Tuesday 7 June 2011 - 2pm)
- Housing Supply and Delivery
- Housing Mix and Density
- Affordable Housing
- Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
TRDC Matter 2 Housing Supply & Delivery, Housing Mix & Density (HS)
Bidwells Welcome Trust Matter 2 (WS)
Bidwells Welcome Trust Matter 2 (WS)
DLP Taylor Wimpy Matter 2 (pdf) (HS)
Matter 3 (Thursday 9 June 2011 - 10am)
- Infrastructure and Delivery
- Green Belt
- Employment and Economic Development
- Sustainable Development
TRDC Matter 3 Infrastructure & Delivery, Green Belt, Employment & Economic Development (HS)
TRDC Matter 3 Sustainable Development (HS)
Bidwells Welcome Trust Matter 3 (WS)
Bidwells Western Range Matter 3 (WS)
DLP Taylor Wimpy Matter 3 (WS)
EEDA Matter 3 (WS)
Hertfordshire County Council Matter 3 (HS)
Hertfordshire County Council Appendix 1 (HS)
Hertfordshire County Council Appendix 2 (HS)
Hertfordshire County Council Appendix 3 (HS)
Vincent and Gorbing Matter 3 (HS)
Statements of Common Ground
TRDC and Dacorum Borough Council
TRDC and Dacorum Borough Council App 1
TRDC and Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners
Schedule of changes
Schedule A Changes Identified During the Examination of the Core Strategy
Schedule B Minor Editing Changes to the Submitted Core Strategy
Schedule C Changes in Relation to the Regional Spatial Strategy
CALA 2
Three River's position on CALA 2 and General Conformity with Regional Strategy
Venue and Timetable
The Hearing Sessions took place on Tuesday 7th June 2011 and Thursday 9th June 2011. As a result of discussions at the Examination Hearing the Council will be making changes to Policy CP5 Gypsy and Traveller Provision. These will be published for consultation on Friday 8th July 2011 for a period of six weeks. It is anticipated that no further hearings will be necessary.
National Planning Policy Framework Document
On 25 July 2011 the DCLG issued the consultation draft of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The NPPF is intended to bring together Planning Policy Statements, Planning Policy Guidance Notes and some Circulars into a single consolidated document.
Among other policy matters, the draft NPPF contains a number of references to the presumption in favour of sustainable development. The Inspector requested any comments on the impact of the consultation document to be submitted by 22 August 2011. The responses received can be downloaded below for information only.
English Heritage Response to NPPF
Natural England Response to NPPF
DLP for Taylor Wimpey Response to NPPF
The original timetable for the Hearing Sessions together with details of the matters discussed can be viewed below.
Examination Hearings Programme and Inspector's Matters and Questions
Core Strategy and Evidence Base
The Core Strategy Submission Documents and those documents comprising the Evidence Base prepared by Three Rivers District Council can be accessed via the following links: