Next steps
The timetable for receiving feedback from the Inspector is currently unknown. Verbal indications from the Planning Inspector overseeing the process in the closing part of the hearing sessions on 28 November 2019, indicated that the Council should expect to hear back from him in the “…first couple of months…” of 2020, but no fixed date was given. However, Inspector led consultations, where interested parties are asked to respond directly to the Planning Inspector on specific matters or information which arose during the hearing sessions, closed on 10 January 2020 and responses to these consultations are published below. The Inspector will need sufficient time to consider these before responding, and it is unlikely that any information will be available until such time as the Inspector is ready to issue his response to the Council.
The initial conclusions could take the form of either a letter or a report, however the Inspector has not specified which approach he will take. Regardless of the format, the initial conclusions will provide the Council with an indication as to whether the plan can be found sound and to what extent. It is anticipated that his response will include the Inspectors view on the inclusion of South Godstone Garden Community.
The Inspector is also likely to set out steps which the Council should take i.e. preparing modifications, undertaking consultation; and if there are any areas that require further work. The Council will then need to engage with the Inspector on his recommendations and proposed modifications which he judges to be necessary to ensure the Plan is ‘Sound’. This engagement will be at his discretion and via the programme officer.