Local Plan Inquiry 2001/2002

The background ...

In July 1999, the Deposit Version Local Plan was published for public consultation. Following consideration of the comments made by the public and other interested bodies, the Revised Deposit Version was published in October 2000. This document included all the changes which the Council agreed to make to the Deposit Version of the Plan. Representations were invited on these changes during the consultation period in December 2000.  

The process ...

The Council analysed the representations received on the Revised Deposit Version. Those persons and organisations who considered that their earlier objections (to the Deposit Version) had been overcome were invited by the Council formally to withdraw them. The remaining unresolved objections were considered at a Local Plan Inquiry, together with new objections received during the consultation period on changes made to the Revised Deposit Version.    

The purpose of the Inquiry was therefore to consider unresolved objections to these two documents.

The Council has a database containing the details of people and organisations who have made representations on the policies in the Deposit and Revised Deposit Versions of the Torbay Local Plan, which is available for public inspection.

Further details of the Local Plan Inquiry ...

The Inquiry was chaired by an independent Inspector, Mr John Mattocks, along with an Assistant Inspector, Mr David Wildsmith. A pre-Inquiry meeting (PIM) was held on 30th August 2001 at 10.00 am in the Town Hall, Castle Circus, Torquay. This was an informal meeting, where the Inspector explained the format and clarified the requirements of the Local Plan Inquiry.

The Inquiry itself opened at 9.30 am on 20th November 2001 at the Town Hall, Castle Circus, Torquay. Members of the public were able to attend the Inquiry. The time-tabling and general organisation of the Inquiry was handled by the Programme Officer, Brian Hagelstein, who worked with the Inspector and was independent of the Council's officers and objectors. The Inquiry Programme Officer and his assistant have now completed their period of employment.

On Friday 3rd May 2002, the Local Plan Inquiry was adjourned by the Inquiry Inspector. It was subsequently reconvened on 1st August 2002 to consider objections received on a number of Proposed Changes made at the Inquiry (called PCIs). The Inquiry session dealt with objections to the PCIs relating to the former Dolphin Holiday Camp, Brixham (Housing Proposal RD H1.23) and took place over 2 days (1st & 2nd August 2002). No further Inquiry sessions were scheduled for the consideration of objections.

The Inquiry was reconvened on Wednesday 25th September 2002 specifically to enable the Inspector to close the Inquiry formally. The purpose of holding this session was to confirm that the business of the Inquiry had been completed satisfactorily and that the necessary administrative and procedural matters had been dealt with.

The Council prepared a series of topic papers relating to individual chapters of the Local Plan. These outline issues raised during the consultation periods and the Council's consideration of representations received. You can also download Minutes of the Inquiry Sessions held to discuss Housing Provision and Affordable Housing in Torbay.

What happened after the Inquiry ...

The Inspector prepared his report on the Local Plan Inquiry setting out recommendations to the Council. The Report of Inquiry was published on 9th April 2003 and is available for inspection or purchase. The document can be viewed and downloaded electronically, or inspected (free of charge) or purchased (price £25.00 plus £6.50 postage and packing) as a hard copy.

Information on the  sixth stage , The Adoption of the Local Plan, is available in the Torbay Local Plan.

Related Documents

Pre-Inquiry Meeting Note- Torbay Local Plan Inquiry

To view any published Related Documents for this service you will require the appropriate software. To download this software please see our documents help page. All links to documents will open in a new window. To request documents and files in an alternative format please contact us using the contact information provided on this page.