The Bracknell Forest Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 20 December 2021. Following this, two planning inspectors, David Troy and Louise Nurser, were appointed to undertake an independent examination into the legal compliance and soundness of the Local Plan. The 13 stage 1 hearings started on 10 May 2022 and ran over subsequent weeks to 16 June in the Bracknell Forest Council Chamber, Time Square. Stage 2 hearings ran from 18 to 20 October 2022. The sessions were also live-streamed via Youtube.
The Bracknell Forest Council website contains links to key information about the examination process and continues to be updated with examination news.
In the examination hearings, the examiners asked for the Council’s response to their questions, then invited other participants to contribute, going back to the Council for any response to this input. The examiners heard from all registered speakers, giving them the chance to have their say.
What next?
At the end of the examination, a programme of actions was agreed, and additional material has been submitted by the Council to the examiners. The examiners will report to the council indicating the further way forward. This will include any modifications to the Plan, and any associated requirements for consultation.