North Mymms News: Comments invited on the “soundness” of the Local Plan

Consultation closes at midnight on Wednesday 21 August

Previously promoted development site BrP6 in Brookmans Park
Image by North Mymms News released under Creative Commons

It’s the next stage in the development of Welwyn Hatfield’s Local Plan with representations invited regarding the “soundness” of the plan.

The independent inspector will select comments raised when he puts together the agenda for the public hearings into the Local Plan where the council will be given the chance to respond.

The definition of “soundness” is set out in paragraph 35 of the National Planning Policy framework (embedded below).

a) Positively prepared – providing a strategy which, as a minimum, seeks to meet
the area’s objectively assessed needs
b) Justified – an appropriate strategy, taking into account the reasonable
alternatives, and based on proportionate evidence;
c) Effective – deliverable over the plan period, and based on effective joint
working on cross-boundary strategic matters that have been dealt with rather
than deferred, as evidenced by the statement of common ground; and
d) Consistent with national policy – enabling the delivery of sustainable
development in accordance with the policies in this framework.

Local Plan background reading

Related documents from the process have recently been uploaded to the Local Plan examination pages on the Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council’s website.

According to the programme officer for the process any further observations that respondents wish to make following WHBC’s response should be put verbally to the hearing.

The provisional dates for the Stage 6 hearing sessions are the weeks commencing 18 November, 25 November, 9 December, and 16 December.

Confirmation of the programme for the hearing sessions will be sent out a minimum of six weeks before the start of the hearing sessions.

At that time those whose comments are selected will be invited to send in hearing statements and register with the programme officer if they want to take part.

Comments should be sent to localplan@welhat.gov.uk

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