Wiltshire Council's response to the government's National Planning Policy Framework consultation

Question 87

Do you agree that we should we replace the existing intervention policy criteria with the revised criteria set out in this consultation?

Answer: yes

Please explain your answer:

Local authorities should in any circumstance where potential government local plan intervention is considered not only be given the opportunity to set out any exceptional circumstances that exist but also the opportunity to outline their plan to improve performance thus avoiding the need for intervention. Intervention should be a last resort.

On the face of it, having regard to the proposed local plan intervention policy criteria - a. local development needs; b. sub regional, regional and national development needs; or c. plan progress - is reasonable. Applying these flexibly, taking into account the individual circumstances of the relevant area before making a decision to intervene is important.

Question 88

Alternatively, would you support us withdrawing the criteria and relying on the existing legal tests to underpin future use of intervention powers?

Answer: no

Please explain your answer:

No, policy criteria help to clarify what the Government will take into consideration when applying intervention powers. They would benefit from being updated.

See response to Question 87