The Solihull’s Local Plan will guide the development of the borough for the next decade, and beyond. It is the basis for future planning decisions as it creates a ‘blueprint’ for when and where major developments can take place, and where it shouldn’t.
Solihull MBC submitted its Local Plan to the Secretary of State (via the Planning Inspectorate) for it to be independently examined. Independent Planning Inspectors have been appointed to undertake the examination and this will include a series of hearings, called an Examination in Public.
The Inspectors published a timetable for the hearings on 2 August, which sees the Examination in Public (EiP) starting on 27 September and then running through until 9 December 2021.
Kelly Akins has been appointed as the Programme Officer for the examination, working under the inspectors’ direction independently from the Council. A full guidance note is available here.
They have also issued their ‘Matters, Issues and Questions (MIQs)‘ which will be the focus for the hearings. All those who submitted responses or representations will have received this document, which seeks to clarify issues prior to the hearings commencing.
Kelly Akins, Programme Officer will be the contact for those interested in participating in the hearings. However, only persons making representations to the Regulation 19 consultation (that took place from October to December 2020) will be able to participate in the hearings.
If you have submitted a formal representation to Solihull Council supporting the plan you do not have a right to speak at the hearing. However, if you have submitted a formal representation to Solihull Council objecting to the plan, you can request to speak at the hearing.
You must ensure you submit your request to speak by 5pm on Friday 27th August 2021 in writing to the independent programme officer. Details of where to write, and other documentation relating to SMBC’s Local Plan, can be found here
