Milton Keynes Minerals Local Plan Examination
Hearing Sessions Venue and Timetable
The hearing sessions will commence at 10:00am on Tuesday 18th October 2016. Please note this date has been revised since originally advertised. The venue is to be:
Margaret Powell Suite
Margaret Powell House
381 Midsummer Blvd
Central Milton Keynes
MK9 3HP
or view Notice of Public Hearing Sessions (PDF, 18KB)
A programme for the Hearing Sessions (PDF, 64KB) and Agendas (PDF, 67KB) have been prepared, which includes the matters to be discussed.
Written Statements
In response to the Inspector's Issues and Questions identified in the Programme for the Hearing Sessions the following written statements were received:
Composite Statement from the Council covering all issues (PDF, 185KB)
NLP for Berkeley Strategic Land - Issue 2 Landbank & Spatial Strategy (PDF, 216KB)
Donald Ritson - Issue 4 Site Specific Matters (PDF, 35KB)
Mr & Mrs Adams - Issue 4 Site Specific Matters (PDF, 34KB)
Evidence Base
In preparing the Minerals Local Plan the Council both refer to and were informed by a number of documents which collectively form the evidence base for the Examination (PDF, 431KB).
Rescheduling of Hearing Sessions
Due to an administrative error the Hearing Sessions have been rescheduled and will now take place on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th October 2016 within the Margaret Powell Suite of Margaret Powell House, 381 Midsummer Blvd, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3HP.
The following correspondence outlines the issues surrounding the rescheduling.
PC1 - Letter to Inspector re Administrative Error (PDF, 320KB)
PC1A - Inspector's Reply re Administrative Error (PDF, 74KB)
The Inspector
Planning Inspector Kath Ellison BA MPHIL MRTPI has been appointed to undertake an independent examination into the soundness of Milton Keynes Council’s Minerals Local Plan.
The Inspector’s task is to consider the soundness of the submitted Plan, based on the criteria set out in paragraph 182 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The relevant soundness criteria are whether the Plan 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; and
- consistent with national policy - the plan should enable the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with the policies in the NPPF
The Inspector will take into account the representations submitted on the Plan at Proposed Submission (Final Draft Plan) stage as far as they relate to soundness considerations and whether the Plan has met legal and Duty to Co-operate requirements.
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 to the Council with precise recommendations. These recommendations may include modifications to the Plan to make it sound, if such a request is made by the Council.
Guidance Notes (PDF, 97KB) 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.
The Programme Officer
The Programme Officer, Ian Kemp, will act as the contact for any person who has an interest in the Examination and as a liaison between the Inspector, Milton Keynes Council and Representors.
He is an independent Officer of the Examination and works on behalf of the Inspector to organise and manage the administrative and procedural aspects of the examination process. Mr Kemp is the appropriate point of contact for any questions relating to timetabling or procedural matters. All statements related to the hearing sessions will also be submitted through him.
Any matters that anyone wishes to raise with the Inspector should be submitted via the Programme Officer.
Contact details
- Address: 16 Cross Furlong, Wychbold, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, WR9 7TA
- Telephone: 01527 861 711
- Mobile: 07723 009 166
- Email: idkemp@icloud.com