Dartmoor National Park Authority

Independent Examination of the Core Strategy Development Plan Document

A local planning authority must submit all development plan documents for independent examination.  The purpose of the examination, which is conducted by an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State, is to consider if the document as a whole is sound.  The Inspector considers all representations and any changes that have been suggested by those making representations.  The Inspector appointed to conduct the examination of the Dartmoor National Park Core Strategy Development Plan Document was Mr Alan Foster, DipTP MRTPI.

Public hearings were held in December 2007 and the Inspector has produced a report on the examination the recommendations of which are binding on the Authority.

PINS Fact Check and and Closure of Examination Letter (PDF Help, 286kb)

The Inspector's Final Report on the examination into the Core Strategy (PDF Help, 589kb)

The examination process:

• Submission to Secretary of State:  The Core Strategy was submitted to the Secretary of State on 15 June 2007 Core Strategy (Submission Version) (PDF Help, 1.7mb) - please note this is a large file and requires a fast internet connection.  Accompanying documentation comprised Proposal Matters - Core Strategy DPD - Submission Version (PDF Help, 44kb), Notice of Publication - Core Strategy DPD - Submission Version (PDF Help, 7kb), Regulation 28 Statement: Statement of pre-submission consultation and public participation - Core Strategy DPD (PDF Help, 163kb).  A 6 week period was then allowed for the submission of any representations on the Core Strategy.     
  
  
• The Representations: The eligible period for the receipt of representations on the document closed on 27 July 2007.  A statement was produced (Regulation 31 Statement) indicating the total number of representations made and a summary of the main issues raised in the representations. Regulation 31 Statement   (PDF Help, 47kb). You can view the submitted representations on this web site: List of respondents (PDF Help, 13kb), Representations in respondent order (PDF Help, 522kb), Representations in plan order (PDF Help, 444kb), Please note: a value of 'u' indicates that, whilst the respondent considers the Plan unsound, a soundness test number has not been stated. The Authority prepared a Core Documents List (PDF Help, 49kb) which sets out the supporting evidence for the Core Strategy and notes other relevant background documents.
  
  
• The Exploratory Meeting: As a result of concerns expressed by the Government Office for the South West (GOSW) and others about the fundamental soundness of the Core Strategy Development Plan Document, the Inspector decided that it was necessary to hold an Exploratory Meeting with the relevant parties.  This meeting  took place at 10.00am on Wednesday 10 October 2007 at the Meeting Room, Dartmoor National Park Authority Offices.  Whilst participation was at the Inspector's invitation only, the meeting was open to the public.  You can view the notes of the exploratory meeting (PDF Help, 81kb)
  
  
• The Pre-Examination Meeting was held on Monday 29 October 2007.  
  You can view the Inspector's notes of the pre-examination meeting (PDF Help, 76kb)
  
  
• The Examination Hearings took place on the 11 and 12 December 2007 at the Dartmoor National Park Authority Meeting room at Parke.  
  You can view the Programme for the Hearing Sessions   (PDF Help, 69kb), you can also view the papers submitted for the Hearing Sessions.
  
  
• Schedule of Changes: The Authority has compiled a Schedule of Suggested Changes (PDF Help, 54kb) to the Core Strategy. This document sets out suggested changes to the Core Strategy in response to public representations, and indicates changes needed to aid clarity or to correct typographical errors or errors of fact.  

• The Inspector's Report: The Dartmoor National Park Authority received the Inspector's Final Report on the examination into the Core Strategy on 29 February 2008.
  The Inspector's Final Report on the examination into the Core Strategy (PDF Help, 589kb)
  
  
• Adoption: The Dartmoor National Park Authority accepted the Inspector’s Report and adopted the Core Strategy Development Plan Document at its meeting held on 4 April 2008.
  

Further information:

If you have any queries regarding the Core Strategy please contact:

Forward Planning and Community
Dartmoor National Park Authority
Parke
Bovey Tracey
Newton Abbot
Devon
TQ13 9JQ

Tel: +44 (0)1626 832093
Fax: +44 (0)1626 834684

e-mail: forwardplanning@dartmoor-npa.gov.uk

For more information on independent examinations of development plan documents, please follow these links:

• Development Plans Examination - A Guide to the Process of Assessing the Soundness of Development Plan Documents (The Planning Inspectorate) (external link, opens in new window)
• A Brief Guide to Examining Development Plan Documents (The Planning Inspectorate) (external link, opens in new window)
  
  
  
  
  Page last update 07 April 2008