Minerals core strategy examination

Welcome to the information page for the independent examination of the draft Wiltshire and Swindon Minerals Core Strategy and supporting documents.

This page provides details of the examination arrangements, key dates and links to all the relevant documents that should be read in conjunction with the examination procedure.

The Inspector

A Government Planning Inspector, Graham Cundale (BA (Hons) MSc MRTPI MIEEM), was appointed to undertake an independent examination into the soundness of the Minerals Core Strategy. The role of the Inspector was to consider whether the draft Wiltshire and Swindon Minerals Core Strategy meets the requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and associated Regulations.

The Inspector also determined whether it satisfied the tests of soundness as set out in the relevant national policy statement (PPS12) in paragraphs 4.23 and 4.24. It is important to note that the draft Minerals Core Strategy was examined against the provision of the 2004 version of PPS12. The presumption of national policy is that a development plan document is sound unless “it is shown to be otherwise as a result of evidence considered at the Examination”. Following the closure of the Examination, the Inspector will prepare a report with precise recommendations that will be binding for the Councils.

The Inspector took into account the representations submitted on the Minerals Core Strategy and further representations invited on the list of Main Matters for the Examination. The Inspector identified the need to hold a series of informal, ‘round table’ hearing sessions to assist his consideration of the submitted Minerals Core Strategy. The hearing sessions provided an opportunity for people to present their case in front of the Inspector on issues of soundness. Arrangements were made for the hearing sessions to be held in Trowbridge on the prescribed dates.

The Examination hearing sessions were held in the Chapman’s Building at County Hall (Library & Heritage HQ) in Trowbridge over a three day period commencing on 5th November 2008. Details of how to find the Chapman’s Building can be found through the link below.

The Programme Officer

The Programme Officer, Mr Ian Kemp, was not a County or Borough Council employee but acted independently on behalf of the Inspector to organise and manage the administrative and procedural matters of the examination process.

The Programme Officer acted as the contact point for any person who made representations at the submission draft stage of the Minerals Core Strategy and was a liaison between the Councils, examination participants and the Inspector. He was the first point of contact for any questions relating to timetabling or procedural matters and all statements were submitted through him. Any matters that anyone wished to raise with the Inspector were raised via the Programme Officer.

In the build up to, and during, the examination period The Programme Officer could be contacted at:

Address:

36 Campbell Street
New Bilton
Rugby
Warwickshire
CV21 2HY

Telephone: 01788 562864

Mobile: 07723 009166

Email: idkemp@ntlworld.com

Immediately prior to and during the examination period, Mr Ian Kemp was based in the Core Strategy Examination Programme Room in the Chapman’s Building at County Hall, in Trowbridge.

The Pre-Examination Meeting (PEM)

The main purpose of the Pre-Examination Meeting (PEM) was to explain and discuss the procedure for the hearing sessions and how they will be managed. The PEM provided an opportunity for any other procedural queries to be raised with the Inspector.

The Minerals Core Strategy PEM was held on Wednesday 10th September 2008 in Wiltshire Council’s Committee Room 5, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 8JN, commencing at 10.00am.

The guidance note for the pre-examination meeting can be viewed below

A note / minutes of the PEM can be viewed below:

Key Dates in the Examination Process

  • 10th September 10.30am - PEM
  • 1st October - Deadline for hearing statements
  • 17th October - Date for submission of Written Representations on the List of Main Matters / Original representations
  • 5th November 10am - 3.30pm - Examination of Matters 1, 5 and 3
  • 6th November 10am - 5.00pm - Examination of Matters 2 and 7
  • 7th November 9.30 am - 3.30pm - Examination of Matter 6 and Round-up Session
  • 16th January 2009  - Additional Hearing Session Cancelled

Supporting Guidance Publications

The following publications give guidance and advice on the new development plan system:

Core Documents Library

To assist with the process of examining the submitted Minerals Core Strategy, there is a list of the documents relied upon during the preparatory phases of work. This list was reviewed while Statements of Evidence were prepared for the hearing sessions held in November 2008.

When the hearing sessions commenced, the library was set up in the Programme Office and anyone wishing to obtain copies of documents could do so by contacting the Programme Officer - Ian Kemp.

Inspector's Report

The Inspector's Report on the Minerals Core Strategy, which was published on 9 March 2009, is now available to download below.

Contact Details

Email: mineralsandwastepolicy@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01225 713429
Postal Address:
Spatial Planning Team
Wiltshire Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN

Last updated: 21 September 2009