Inspector appointed to examine Local Plan

Harborough District Council submitted its proposed Local Plan to the Secretary of State in March 2018.

The proposed Local Plan sets out planning policies in the Harborough district up to 2031. It will make sure development meets strategic priorities for housing, employment, community facilities, transport and other infrastructure needed to support development.

Planning Inspector Jonathan Bore BA MRTPI DipUD has now been appointed to independently examine the Plan. The Inspector’s task is to consider the soundness of the submitted Plan, based on whether it is positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national policy.

He will take into account any comments made as part of the public consultations on the Local Plan to assess its ‘soundness’. A number of informal debates – known as ‘hearing sessions’ – on any relevant matters identified by the Inspector will take place in the first two weeks of October 2018 in the council chamber at The Symington Building in Market Harborough.

Cllr Phil King, Deputy Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “It is positive news that the public examination hearings are now scheduled and that these will be taking place in October 2018. It is really important that a new and up to date Local Plan is put in place as soon as possible in order to positively manage the delivery of development and infrastructure across the district.”

Guidance notes will be prepared by the Inspector to help people understand the process and will be available on the council’s website in due course.

The latest information on the examination – and the contact details of the Programme Officer, Ian Kemp, if anyone has any queries – is available on the council’s website at www.harborough.gov.uk/local-plan-examination