Planning and Development

'Core' Strategy - Public Examination

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A Public Examination into the soundness of the Core Strategy began on 23rd January 2007 at the Winchester Royal Hotel. The initial hearings were conducted over the course of two weeks and a final session on Wiltshire's part of the New Forest National Park occured on 29th March.

In accordance with section 20 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the First Secretary of State appointed Inspector Stephen J Pratt BA(Hons) MRTPI of the Planning Inspectorate to conduct the examination to determine whether the Core Strategy is sound. The Inspector assessed the soundness of the Core Strategy, having regard to the representations (PDF, 1397KB) made and prepared a binding report for submission to the Minerals & Waste Planning Authorities.

A description of the Tests of Soundness against which the Strategy was examined is available online and a self assessment of soundness (PDF, 506KB) was completed by the Minerals and Waste Planning Authorities.

The Planning Authorities have produced a number of papers on 'key issues' to be addressed at the Public Examination. These 'topic papers' along with the list of 'core' documents for the public examination can be found in the Examination Library.

The Inspector prepared a Schedule of Matters and Issues for Examination (PDF, 129KB) to guide and focus the discussion at the hearing sessions of the Examination into the Hampshire Minerals & Waste Core Strategy. It has been prepared using the Planning Inspectorate’s Guide to Assessing the Soundness of Development Plan Documents, (PDF, 224KB) having regard to the representations made to the Core Strategy. The representations under each Matter are available to view on the Examination Matters page.

A Draft Programme (PDF, 39KB) for the Public Examination and Guidance notes (PDF, 129KB) to assist individuals and organisations involved in the Public Examination were also prepared by the Inspector.

Bill Lamb was appointed as Programme Officer for the Examination and dealt with all procedural, administrative and programming matters under the direction of the Inspector. He can be contacted at:

Bill Lamb (Programme Officer)
c/o Sheridan House
Jewry Street
Winchester
SO23 8RY

Telephone number (01962) 857826 or (01962) 846239
E-mail address bill.lamb@hants.gov.uk