SODC and the planning inspectorate
A number of constituents who live in my constituency but near Wallingford have written to me to question the powers of the planning inspector appointed to examine SODC's Core Strategy simply to change the plan. Under the existing law introduced by the last Government that is exactly the power planning inspectors have and it is yet another good example of why the previous planning system was broken.
Constituents have rightly asked where does such a power leave localism. Such a power does not fit with localism which is why the Government has abolished it in the Localism Act.
Under the old legislation, the inspector produced a report determining whether or not the plan was suitable for adoption i.e. to use the technical jargon was it 'sound'. The inspector was able to recommend modifications to the draft document. The local planning authority was bound to implement the inspector's recommendations.
Under the new legislation, there will still be a public examination of a local plan under a planning inspector to ensure that it is sound (but using different tests) e.g. does the plan comply with national planning policy. A Council will not be able to adopt an unsound plan. However, the local council alone will have the power to ask the inspector for recommendations as to how the plan may be changed if he or she thinks it might be found unsound and which would make the document suitable for adoption. If the local council does not make this request, the inspector will be unable to recommend any changes.
In addition, local councils do not have to implement inspectors' recommendations. Where the inspector thinks the plan is unsound, the council will be able to make its own modifications and re-submit the draft document to the inspector for examination.
Although the Localism Act has now received Royal Assent, its provisions come into force at different times. This reform came into effect during January 2012.
Constituency support
Chinnor Rugby Club lunch, Thame, 19 February 2012
Guest at Club lunch and speaker
Meeting Kirtlington Parish Plan, 18 February 2012
Meeting with plan leaders
Meeting with ORCC, 18 February 2012
Meeting re. community-led planning
Assistance to planning student, 18 February 2012
Help with thesis being prepared
Meeting Oxfordshire LEP, 18 February 2012
Discussion with Martin Dare Edwards
Broadcast BBC Radio Oxford, 17 February 2012
Broadcast about Woodeaton quarry
Woodeaton Quarry meeting, Beckley 16 February 2012
Public meeting about the quarry
Chiltern Railways, Banbury 16 February 2012
Meeting about Evergreens 3 project and East-West rail
Surgery, Thame 11 February 2012
Heavily subscribed surgery
Old Nags Head, Thame 3 Feruary 2012
Visit to discuss issues
Primary Designs, Thame 3 February 2012
V
isit to see business
Housing Associations Report, Westminster 31 January 2012
Hosted launch of report to which SOHA had contributed.
GB Rowing Team 2011 Dinner, 28 January 2012
Attended as guest
Dr Stephen Richards, Oxford 27 January 2012
Meeting re health reforms in Oxfordshire
Radio Cherwell, Churchill Hospital, Oxford 27 January 2012
Broadcast on health issues
Business Park, Chalgrove 27 January 2012
Opening of cafe and home working hub
Neighbourhood Planning, Thame 25 January 2012
Participated with Minister, Greg Clark MP, in feedback session from residents involved in Neighbourhood Plan.
Black Horse, Thame 20 January 2012
Meeting to discuss local issues
Surgery, Henley 14 January 2012
Neighbourhood Planning, Woodcote, 13 January 2012
Meeting with team leaders
Farmers' Market, Great Haseley 11 December 2011
Visited market
Henley Society lunch 10 December 2011
Spoke at lunch
Surgery, Chinnor 10 December 2011
Henley Tennis Club 9 December 2011
Presentation of cheque from Sport England
Henley Standard Christmas Party 8 December 2011
Hampton Gay 2 December 2011
Discussions about heritage site
Mowforth Close, Woodcote 2 December 2011
Opening of refurbished sheltered housing
Broadcast, Radio Oxford 2 December 2011
Wide-ranging broadcast
Broadcast, Jack FM 29 November 2011
Condemning strikes
Broadcast, BBC Oxford 27 November 2011
About stikes and public sector pensions
M40 CEG Group, Lewknor 25 November 2011
Address to AGM of group
Meeting River and Rowing Museum, Henley 25 November 2011
Trustees meeting
Icknield School, Watlington 25 November 2011
Visit to new head
Broadcast, BBC Oxford 25 November 2011
About M40 noise
Chinnor Quiz Night 19 November 2011
Remembrance Day, Thame 13 November 2011
County Council briefing for Oxfordshire MPs 11 November 2011
Thame surgery 5 November 2011
Thame Charity Fair 5 November 2011
Opened Fair
