Examination Overview

Harborough Local Plan 2020 to 2041

Following approval at Extraordinary Council on 16th March 2026, Harborough District Council formally submitted the Harborough Local Plan 2020-2041 to the Secretary of State for independent examination on 17 April 2026. 

Planning Inspectors

Planning Inspectors R Barrett MRTPI IHBC, L Nurser BA (Hons) MA DipUP MRTPI and W Cooper BA (Hons) CMLI have been appointed to conduct an independent Examination of the Harborough Local Plan

The inspector’s task will be to consider the soundness and legal compliance of the submitted Plan, based on the criteria set out in paragraph 35 of the National Planning Policy Framework December 2023 (the Framework) and associated regulations, namely the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the Localism Act 2011 and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

The Inspectors will take into account the representations submitted on the Regulation 19 Draft Local Plan as far as they relate to soundness and legal compliance considerations. A number of informal debates will take place on the principal matters identified by the Inspector. These are termed Hearing Sessions.

At the end of the Examination, the Inspectors will prepare a report to the Council with precise recommendations. These recommendations may include modifications to the Plan, if such a request is made by the Council. 

Programme Officer

The role of the Programme Officer is to independently undertake the administration of the examination under the direction of the appointed Planning Inspector (or Inspectors). The Programme Officer will liaise between the Planning Inspector, Harborough District Council and the interested parties for the duration of the Local Plan examination. All communications are handled by the Programme Officer.

Ian Kemp has been appointed as the Programme Officer.

The Programme Officer can be contacted as follows:

Email: ian@localplanservices.co.uk

Phone: 07723 009 166

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