Guidance

Procedure Guide for Local Plan Examinations

Guide aimed at all those involved in the process and concerned with the procedural aspects of examining a local plan.

• From: Planning Inspectorate
• Published: 13 May 2014
• Last updated: 28 August 2024 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Procedure Guide for Local Plan Examinations

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Details

This guide includes advice on:

• Before submission
• Submission
• Initial assessment and organisation of the hearing sessions
• Preparation for the hearing sessions
• Conduct of the hearing sessions
• Main modifications to the plan
• The Inspector’s report
• Quality assurance, fact-check procedure and delivery of final report to the LPA
• Other procedures

Published 13 May 2014
Last updated 28 August 2024 + show all updates

1. 28 August 2024

   Changes to reflect the Minister’s Letter; Amending ‘DLUHC’ to ‘MHCLG’; Inclusion of guidance on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the production of hearing statements; Updates to invoicing procedures to reflect the current service level agreement; Correction of minor typographical errors.

2. 10 February 2023

   Guidance updated around the setting up and running of events.

3. 14 February 2022

   Linking off to new guide: Local plans: taking part in examinations

4. 25 October 2021

   MHCLG to DLUHC

5. 18 March 2021

   Link to Privacy policy updated

6. 26 November 2020

   This sixth edition has been updated to take account of recent experience of examinations and the advisory visits which Inspectors make to local planning authorities LPAs.

7. 2 June 2020

   Please note that the Procedure Guide pre-dates measures to limit the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) and it may not currently be possible to follow some of the advice it contains.

8. 1 July 2019

   Booklet updated

9. 23 June 2016

   Guide updated to take account of more recent refinements in practice and the update to the Planning Practice Guidance published on 19 May 2016

10. 13 May 2014

    First published.