Examination FAQ

What is a Local Plan examination? 

The purpose of a Local Plan examination is for an independent Planning Inspector, appointed by the Secretary of State, to assess the submitted plan and determine whether they consider the plan to be ‘sound’ in terms of national planning policy and compliant with the relevant legislation. 

The examination process involves public hearings which are conducted by the Inspector, with relevant respondents invited to attend to speak to give evidence on a range of matters, as specified by the Inspector. After the hearings, the examination remains open until the Inspector has competed their report. 

For further information please refer to the Examination Overview page. 
 

What is meant by the term 'sound'? 

The Harborough Local Plan 2020-2041 is being examined against the December 2023 National Planning Policy Framework, as allowed by transitional arrangements for plans at this stage. To be ‘sound’, the Plan must be: 

1.   Positively Prepared: The plan provides a strategy which, as a minimum, seeks to meet the area’s objectively assessed needs and is informed by agreements with other authorities, so that unmet need from neighbouring areas is accommodated where it is practical to do so and is consistent with achieving sustainable development. 
2.    Justified: The plan contains an appropriate strategy, taking into account the reasonable alternatives, and is based on appropriate evidence. 
3.    Effective: The plan is deliverable over the plan period and is 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. 
4.    Consistent with national policy: The plan enables the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with national planning policy, where relevant.  
 

What is legal compliance? 

Local plans are legally compliant if they are: 
•    Prepared in accordance with the Council’s latest Local Development Scheme; 
•    Accompanied by a Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment; 
•    Subject to consultation carried out in accordance with the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement; 
•    Compliant with all relevant laws including the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. 

 

What happens once the document is submitted to the Secretary of State? 

The Secretary of State will appoint an independent Planning Inspector to examine the Local Plan. This will include hearing sessions (open to the public) for the Inspector to hear evidence, expected mid-2026. The Inspector will provide the Council with a report into the soundness of the submitted Harborough Local Plan 2020-2041. Following a report confirming the Plan is ‘sound’, the Council will be able to adopt the Harborough Local Plan 2020-2041. It will then form part of the statutory development plan for the district and have full weight when determining planning applications.  

 

Does the Duty to Co-operate still exist? 

The Duty to Cooperate ceased to apply to the preparation of local plans from 25 March 2026 including those being prepared under transitional arrangements, such as the Harborough Local Plan. However, the Government has emphasised the importance of local planning authorities continuing to collaborate across their boundaries on strategic issues, including on unmet development needs from neighbouring authorities.  

In preparing the draft Local Plan, the Council has engaged and cooperated widely with neighbouring local authorities and other partners (previously known as prescribed bodies) on strategic matters. These discussions have helped inform the draft Local Plan. As the Duty to Cooperate has only recently been revoked, we have published a Duty to Cooperate Statement of Compliance. This demonstrates how the Council has collaborated with partners on cross-boundary strategic matters and the steps it has taken to ensure effective cooperation in the preparation of the draft Local Plan. The Statement is supported by Statements of Common Ground which have been agreed with partners. These are available on our supporting evidence  

 

How can I speak at the examination hearings? 

The right to appear and make your evidence heard by the Inspector is usually restricted to those persons who made representations seeking a change to the plan within the representation period of the Regulation 19 stage. If you are unsure whether you will be permitted to speak, please contact the Programme Officer for advice (see details under 'Who do I contact if I have any questions in relation to the examination?'). Anyone has the right to attend the hearing sessions as an observer - it is helpful to inform the Programme Officer in advance if so. 

At the hearings, the Inspector considers all evidence submitted in formal representations, hearing statements and given verbally at the hearings themselves. Once the dates of the hearings have been confirmed, the Hearing sessions page will provide the programme of hearings, agendas and hearing statements. 

 

How long will the examination take and when will the Inspector issue their report? 

The examination of the Local Plan is a continuous process, running from the date of submission through to the receipt of the appointed Planning Inspector’s Report. The duration of an examination is dependent on the nature of any soundness issues or legal compliance issues that arise and the steps that are needed to resolve them. 

Generally, the examination timetable of a Local Plan containing both strategic and non-strategic policies tend to last around a year. Please do be aware that this is an approximation only. The Examination Latest News section of the examination will be updated and participants kept updated as necessary. 

 

Who do I contact if I have any questions in relation to the examination? 

Ian Kemp has been appointed as the independent Programme Officer. The Programme Officer has the principal responsibility for procedural matters during the examination and all future correspondence with Local Plan respondents will be undertaken via the contact details below: 

Ian Kemp 

Email: ian@localplanservices.co.uk 

Phone: 07723 009 166 

Post:  
Ian Kemp 
Programme Officer 
PO Box 241 
Droitwich 
WR9 1DW 

The Programme Officer should be contacted with any queries in relation to the Local Plan examination.  However, the Examination Latest News page will be regularly updated with details of how the examination is progressing.  

 

Is there any national guidance in relation to Local Plan examinations? 

Local Plans: the examination process - guidance in relation to the Local Plan examination process and the role the Planning Inspectorate plays. 

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.