Executive Summary
1. The consultation on Draft Regulations on Development Plan Examinations was launched in December 2007 and responses were to be received by 04 April 2008.
2. The consultation attracted 59 responses of which 31 were from planning authorities, national park authorities and joint structure plan teams, 14 from businesses and developers, 3 from planning and related professionals, 6 from national and regional agencies, 2 from community councils, 2 from individuals and 1 other.
3. The vast majority of respondents supported the principles which will underpin the regulations and guidance for development plan examinations.
4. Those who were in support of the principles felt that they would lead to a faster, more transparent and efficient examination process.
5. The majority of respondents felt that:
- the appointed person should have responsibility for identifying the issues to be assessed in the examination;
- matters to which the appointed person may refer in assessing the authority's conformity with its participation statement should not be restricted;
- a code of practice should be used rather than the use of regulations for detailed aspects of procedures; and
- the matters to which the appointed person can refer should not be restricted
6. It was considered that the bodies proposed in the regulations were adequate however some additions were suggested by a number of respondents.
7. Respondents also felt that the apportionment of examination costs was fair and workable.
8. Very little comment was made in relation to the impact on businesses, voluntary groups and societal groups.