Nicki Dale, principle planning officer at Dudley MBC, gave a presentation to the Town Centre Partnership on progress with the Area Action Plan – a crucial document which will guide developments in Brierley Hill for the next 20 years.
The draft plan will be considered by the council’s cabinet on 18th November and will then be published for consultation on 30th November. The key focus for the consultation will be whether the plan meets the tests for soundness enshrined in planning legislation. These tests are:-
- Test i: The DPD (Development Plan Documents) has been prepared in accordance with the
Local Development Scheme - Test ii: The DPD has been prepared in compliance with the
Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), or the
minimum requirements set out in the regulations
where no SCI exists - Test iii: The plan and its policies have been subjected to
Sustainability Appraisal - Test iv: It is a spatial plan which is consistent with national
planning policy and in general conformity with the RSS
for the region or the Spatial Development Strategy if in
London, and it has properly had regard to any other
relevant plans, policies and strategies relating to the
area or to adjoining areas - Test v: It has had regard to the authority’s Community
Strategy - Test vi: The strategies/policies/allocations in the plan are
coherent and consistent within and between
Development Plan Documents prepared by the
authority and by neighbouring authorities, where cross
boundary issues are relevant - Test vii: The strategies/policies/allocations represent the
most appropriate in all the circumstances, having
considered the relevant alternatives, and they are
founded on a robust and credible evidence base - Test viii: There are clear mechanisms for implementation
and monitoring - Test ix: It is reasonably flexible to enable it to deal with
changing circumstances.
The closing dates for representations will be 15th January 2010.
The timetable for the implementation of the plan can be found by clicking here.