Examination into the Minerals and Waste Local Plan update

The Inspector wrote to the County Council following the Hearing Session in relation to the Site Allocation at Passenham.

The Inspector

Planning Inspector Jonathan Manning MA MRTPI has been appointed to undertake an independent examination into the soundness of Northamptonshire County Council’s Minerals and Waste Local Plan Update.

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:

  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 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 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, Northamptonshire County 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.

Hearing sessions venue and timetable

Hearing Sessions commenced at 10.00am on Tuesday 29th November 2016 within the Meeting Room of Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, Guildhall Road, Northampton, NN1 1DP and continued the following day.

A list of Matters and Issues for discussion together with a Draft Programme are available below:

Written Statements

In response to the Inspector's Matters and Issues the following further written statements were received:

Documents submitted during the examination

Key dates

DateKey event
18 August 2016Plan submitted.
21 October 2016Deadline for representatives to suggest additional matters for discussion.
11 November 2016Potential participants to confirm whether they wish to participate in the discussions.
29 November 2016Hearing sessions commence.

Evidence base

In preparing the Minerals and Waste Local Plan Update the council both refer to and were informed by a number of documents which collectively form the evidence base for the Examination.

Last updated 24 May 2023