Legalize / United Kingdom / Public General Act

Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004

Type Public General Act

Publication 2004-05-13

Last updated 2026-04-16

State In force

Department Statute Law Database

Source legislation.gov.uk

articles Not indexed

Reform history JSON API

(10) References in this section to development do not include minerals and waste development, but where the local planning authority is the minerals and waste planning authority for any part of their area, their local plan may incorporate all or part of their minerals and waste plan.

15CA

(1) A local plan must be prepared in accordance with the local planning authority’s local plan timetable.

(2) A local plan must be in general conformity with the spatial development strategy, if one is operative in relation to the area of the local planning authority.

(3) The local planning authority must, at such times as may be prescribed, seek observations or advice in relation to a proposed local plan, from a person appointed by the Secretary of State.

(4) The Secretary of State may require the local planning authority to—

(a) reimburse the Secretary of State for any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State in, or in connection with, appointing a person under subsection (3), or

(b) pay any fees and expenses of a person appointed by the Secretary of State under subsection (3).

(5) The local planning authority must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, publish any observations or advice they receive from a person appointed by the Secretary of State under subsection (3).

(6) In preparing their local plan, a local planning authority must have regard to—

(a) any observations or advice received from a person appointed by the Secretary of State under subsection (3),

(b) any responses to a consultation, provided for in regulations under section 15LE, in connection with the preparation of the local plan,

(d) other national policies and advice contained in guidance issued by the Secretary of State,

(e) the National Planning Framework for Scotland, if any part of the authority’s area adjoins Scotland,

(f) the National Development Framework for Wales, if any part of the authority’s area adjoins Wales,

(g) any other part of the development plan for the authority’s area which has effect,

(h) any neighbourhood priorities statement—

(i) which has effect for part of the authority’s area, and

(ii) to which the authority has not already had regard in preparing another local plan previously adopted or approved under this Part, and

(i) such other matters as the Secretary of State prescribes.

(7) A local plan has effect only in so far as it or any part of it is adopted or approved under this Part.

(8) Regulations made by the Secretary of State may—

(a) prescribe the form and content of a local plan;

(b) make provision as to any further documents which must be prepared by the authority in connection with the preparation of a local plan (including the form and content of such documents);

(d) prescribe documents or information which must be provided by the local planning authority to a person appointed by the Secretary of State under subsection (3) (including the form and content of such documents);

(e) prescribe the form and content of observations or advice provided under subsection (3);

(f) prescribe when the local planning authority is to have regard to something mentioned in subsection (6);

(g) prescribe when any step in, or in connection with, the preparation of the local plan must be taken;

(h) make provision as to when, or in what circumstances, a new local plan is to be prepared to replace the existing one.

15CB

(1) Each minerals and waste planning authority must, in respect of their relevant area, prepare one or more documents which are to be known collectively as their “minerals and waste plan”.

(2) The minerals and waste plan must set out policies of the minerals and waste planning authority (however expressed) in relation to the amount, type and location of, and timetable for, minerals and waste development, in the relevant area.

(3) The minerals and waste plan may include—

(a) other policies (however expressed) in relation to—

(i) minerals and waste development in the relevant area, which are designed to achieve objectives that relate to the particular characteristics or circumstances of that area, any part of that area or one or more specific sites in that area;

(ii) development other than minerals and waste development, which are designed to secure that minerals and waste development in the relevant area can take place;

(b) details of any infrastructure requirements to which minerals and waste development in accordance with the policies, included in the plan under subsection (2) or paragraph (a) of this subsection, would give rise.

(4) The Secretary of State may prescribe further matters relating to minerals and waste development which the minerals and waste plan may, or must, deal with.

(5) The minerals and waste plan must be designed to secure that minerals and waste development in the relevant area contributes to the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change.

(6) The minerals and waste plan must take account of any local nature recovery strategy that relates to all or part of the relevant area, including in particular—

(a) the areas identified in the strategy as areas which—

(i) are, or could become, of particular importance for biodiversity, or

(ii) are areas where the recovery or enhancement of biodiversity could make a particular contribution to other environmental benefits,

(b) the priorities set out in the strategy for recovering or enhancing biodiversity, and

(7) The minerals and waste plan must not—

(a) include anything that is not permitted or required by or under subsections (2) to (4) or regulations under section 15CA(8)(a) (as applied by subsection (8)), or

(b) be inconsistent with or (in substance) repeat any national development management policy.

(8) This Part applies in relation to a minerals and waste plan as it applies in relation to a local plan and for that purpose—

(a) references to a local plan timetable are to be read as references to a minerals and waste plan timetable,

(b) references to a local plan are to be read as references to a minerals and waste plan,

(c) references to a local planning authority are to be read as references to a minerals and waste planning authority, and

(d) references to a local planning authority’s area are to be read as references to a minerals and waste planning authority’s relevant area.

(9) Subsection (8) is subject to such modifications of this Part, as it applies in relation to a minerals and waste plan, as may be prescribed.

(10) Subsection (8) does not apply to—

(a) sections 15B and 15BA;

(b) section 15C;

(d) sections 15J to 15JB;

(e) section 15LB(2);

(f) sections 15LC(3)(c) and 15LD.

15CC

(1) Each relevant plan-making authority may prepare one or more documents, each of which is to be known as a “supplementary plan”.

(2) A supplementary plan prepared by the Mayor of London may include requirements with respect to design that relate to development, or development of a particular description, throughout Greater London, which the Mayor considers should be met for planning permission for the development to be granted.

(3) A supplementary plan prepared by a local planning authority may include—

(a) policies (however expressed) in relation to the amount, type and location of, or timetable for, development at a specific site in their area or at two or more specific sites in their area which the authority consider to be nearby to each other;

(b) other policies (however expressed) in relation to the use or development of land in the local planning authority’s area which are designed to achieve objectives that relate to the particular characteristics or circumstances of a specific site in their area or two or more specific sites in their area which the authority consider to be nearby to each other;

(c) details of any infrastructure requirements, or requirements for affordable housing, to which development in accordance with any policies, included in the plan under paragraph (a) or (b), would give rise;

(d) requirements with respect to design that relate to development, or development of a particular description, throughout the local planning authority’s area, in any part of their area or at one or more specific sites in their area, which the local planning authority consider should be met for planning permission for the development to be granted.

(4) References in subsection (3) to development do not include minerals and waste development.

(5) A supplementary plan prepared by a minerals and waste planning authority may include—

(a) policies (however expressed) in relation to the amount, type and location of, or timetable for, minerals and waste development at one or more specific sites in the relevant area or at two or more specific sites in that area which the authority consider to be nearby to each other;

(b) other policies (however expressed) in relation to—

(i) minerals and waste development in the relevant area which are designed to achieve objectives that relate to the particular characteristics or circumstances of a specific site in that area or two or more specific sites in that area which the authority consider to be nearby to each other;

(ii) development other than minerals and waste development, which are designed to secure that minerals and waste development can take place at a specific site in the relevant area or two or more specific sites in that area which the authority consider to be nearby to each other;

(c) details of any infrastructure requirements to which minerals and waste development in accordance with any policies, included in the plan under paragraph (a) or (b), would give rise.

(6) The Secretary of State may prescribe further matters which a supplementary plan may include.

(7) A supplementary plan must be in general conformity with the spatial development strategy, if one is operative in relation to the area or a site to which the plan relates.

(8) In preparing a supplementary plan, the relevant plan-making authority must have regard to any other part of the development plan which has effect for the area or a site to which the plan relates.

(9) So far as the relevant plan-making authority consider appropriate, having regard to the subject matter of the supplementary plan, the plan must—

(a) be designed to secure that the development and use of land in the authority’s area contribute to the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change, and

(b) take account of any local nature recovery strategy which relates to all or part of the area to which the plan relates or to an area in which a site to which the plan relates is located, including in particular—

(i) the areas identified in the strategy as areas which—

(A) are, or could become, of particular importance for biodiversity, or

(B) are areas where the recovery or enhancement of biodiversity could make a particular contribution to other environmental benefits,

(ii) the priorities set out in the strategy for recovering or enhancing biodiversity, and

(iii) the proposals set out in the strategy as to potential measures relating to those priorities.

(10) A supplementary plan must not—

(a) include anything which is not permitted or required by or under subsections (2) to (6), or

(b) be inconsistent with or (in substance) repeat any national development management policy.

(11) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the preparation, withdrawal or revision of supplementary plans.

(12) Regulations under subsection (11)—

(a) may apply, or make provision corresponding to, any provision made by or under this Part in relation to the preparation, withdrawal or revision of a local plan, with or without modifications;

(b) must require a proposed supplementary plan to be the subject of consultation with the public.

(13) A supplementary plan has effect only in so far as it or any part of it is adopted or approved under this Part.

Examination of plans

15D

(1) A local planning authority must submit their proposed local plan to the Secretary of State for independent examination if a person appointed by the Secretary of State under section 15CA(3) advises that the prescribed requirements are met in relation to the plan.

(2) The authority must also send or make available to the Secretary of State (in addition to the local plan) such other documents (or copies of documents) and such information as is prescribed.

(3) The Secretary of State may prescribe the manner in which the local plan, or any document or information to be sent under subsection (2), is to be sent.

(4) The examination must be carried out by a person appointed by the Secretary of State (“the examiner”).

(5) The purpose of the independent examination is to determine whether it is reasonable to conclude that the local plan is sound.

(6) Any person who makes representations in relation to the local plan must (if that person so requests) be given the opportunity to appear before and be heard by the examiner.

(7) At any time before the examiner makes a recommendation under any of the following subsections, if the examiner considers that—

(a) certain matters need to be dealt with in order for it to become reasonable to conclude that the local plan is sound, and

(b) those matters could be dealt with by pausing the examination under section 15DA for further work to be carried out,

the examiner may decide that the examination is to be so paused.

(8) The Secretary of State may by notice to the examiner—

(a) direct the examiner not to take any step, or any further step, in connection with the examination of the local plan, or of a specified part of it, until a specified time or until the direction is withdrawn;

(b) require the examiner—

(i) to consider any specified matters;

(ii) to give an opportunity, or further opportunity, to specified persons to appear before and be heard by the examiner;

(iii) to take any specified procedural step in connection with the examination.

In this subsection “specified” means specified in the notice.

(9) Where the examiner—

(a) has carried out the examination, and

(b) considers that, in all the circumstances, it would be reasonable to conclude that the local plan is sound,

the examiner must recommend that the local plan is adopted and give reasons for the recommendation.

(10) Subsections (11) and (12) apply where the examiner—

(a) has carried out the examination, and

(b) is not required by subsection (9) to recommend that the local plan is adopted.

(11) If the examiner considers that, if certain modifications were made to the local plan, it would become reasonable to conclude that the plan is sound, the examiner must—

(a) recommend that those modifications are made and that the plan is then adopted, and

(b) give reasons for the recommendation.

(12) If the examiner is not required by subsection (11) to recommend that the local plan is adopted with modifications and the examination is not paused or to be paused under section 15DA, the examiner must—

(a) recommend that the local plan is withdrawn, and

(b) give reasons for the recommendation.

(13) The local planning authority must publish the recommendations and reasons they receive under this section.

15DA

(1) This section applies if the examiner decides under section 15D(7) that the examination under that section is to be paused under this section for further work to be carried out.

(2) The examiner must notify the local planning authority and the Secretary of State—

(a) that the examiner has taken that decision,

(b) of the matters which the examiner considers need to be dealt with in order for it to become reasonable to conclude that the local plan is sound, and

(3) The pause period may not—

(a) begin earlier than the day on which notice is given to the local planning authority under subsection (2), nor

(b) be longer than such period as may be prescribed

(4) The examination under section 15D is suspended at the beginning of the pause period.

(5) During the pause period, the local planning authority must take steps to deal with the matters notified to them under subsection (2)(b).

(6) Before the end of the pause period, the local planning authority must send to the examiner—

(a) a document—

(i) setting out what the authority have done during the pause period to deal with the matters notified to them under subsection (2)(b), and

(ii) setting out any modifications to the local plan that the authority propose to make in order to make it sound or stating that the authority do not propose to make any such modifications, and

(b) any further evidence as to the soundness of the plan which the local planning authority may have.

(7) The local planning authority must publish the document and any evidence sent under subsection (6).

(8) If the examiner considers, at the end of the pause period, that the matters notified to the local planning authority under subsection (2)(b) have not been dealt with, with the result that there is no prospect of it becoming reasonable to conclude that the local plan is sound, the examiner must—

(a) recommend that the local plan is withdrawn, and

(b) give reasons for the recommendation.

(9) If the examiner does not make a recommendation under subsection (8), the examination under section 15D is resumed.

(10) The local planning authority must publish any recommendation and reasons they receive under this section.

15DB

(1) A relevant plan-making authority must submit each supplementary plan that they propose to adopt for independent examination.

(2) The supplementary plan must be submitted to—

(a) the Secretary of State, in order for the examination to be carried out by a person appointed by the Secretary of State, or

(b) a person who, in the opinion of the relevant plan-making authority—

(i) is independent of the authority,

(ii) does not have an interest in any land that may be affected by the supplementary plan, and

(iii) has appropriate qualifications and experience.

(3) In the following provisions of this section, the person appointed by the Secretary of State under paragraph (a) of subsection (2), or (as the case may be) the person to whom the supplementary plan is submitted under paragraph (b) of that subsection, is “the examiner”.

(4) The authority must also send or make available to the examiner (in addition to the supplementary plan) such other documents (or copies of documents) and such information as is prescribed.

(5) The purpose of the independent examination is to determine in respect of the supplementary plan—

(a) whether the requirements of section 15CC, and regulations under subsection (11) of that section relating to the preparation of the plan, have been met, and

(b) whether the relevant plan-making authority have had regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State which may be relevant.

(6) The general rule is that the independent examination is to take the form of written representations.

(7) But the examiner must cause a hearing to be held for the purposes of receiving oral representations in any case where the examiner considers that the consideration of oral representations is necessary to ensure adequate examination of an issue or that a person has a fair chance to put a case.

(8) If a hearing is held under subsection (7), any person who makes representations about the matters mentioned in subsection (5) must (if that person so requests) be given the opportunity to appear before and be heard by the examiner

(9) Where the examiner considers that, in all the circumstances, it would be reasonable to conclude—

(a) that the requirements mentioned in subsection (5)(a) have been met, and

(b) the relevant plan-making authority have had regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State which may be relevant,

the examiner must recommend that the supplementary plan is adopted and give reasons for the recommendation.

(10) Subsections (11) and (12) apply where the examiner—

(a) has carried out the examination, and

(b) is not required by subsection (9) to recommend that the supplementary plan is adopted.

(11) If the examiner considers that—

(a) certain modifications of the supplementary plan would result in it being reasonable to conclude, in all the circumstances, that the requirements mentioned in subsection (5)(a) are met, and

(b) it is, in all the circumstances, reasonable to conclude that the relevant plan-making authority have had regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State which may be relevant,

the examiner must recommend that those modifications are made and that the plan is then adopted and give reasons for the recommendation.

(12) Where the examiner has carried out the examination and is not required by subsection (11) to recommend that the supplementary plan is adopted with modifications, the examiner must—

(a) recommend that the supplementary plan is withdrawn, and

(b) give reasons for the recommendation.

(13) The relevant plan-making authority must publish the recommendations and reasons they receive under this section.

Withdrawal and adoption of plans

15E

(1) A local planning authority may, at any time before they are required to submit a local plan for independent examination under section 15D, withdraw the plan.

(2) After a local plan has been submitted for independent examination, the local planning authority may only withdraw the plan—

(a) if the person appointed to carry out the examination recommends that they do so and the Secretary of State has not directed that it is not to be withdrawn, or

(b) the Secretary of State directs that the plan is to be withdrawn.

(3) The Secretary of State may at any time—

(a) after a local plan has been submitted for independent examination under section 15D, but

(b) before it is adopted under section 15EA,

direct the local planning authority to withdraw the plan.

15EA

(1) Where the person appointed to carry out the independent examination of a local plan recommends that the plan as originally prepared is adopted, the local planning authority may adopt it—

(a) as originally prepared, or

(b) with modifications that (taken together) do not materially affect its contents.

(2) Where the person appointed to carry out the independent examination of a local plan recommends that the plan is adopted with modifications, the local planning authority may adopt it—

(a) with those modifications, or

(b) with those modifications, along with further modifications if the further modifications (taken together) do not materially affect its contents.

(3) Where the person appointed to carry out the independent examination of a supplementary plan recommends that the plan as originally prepared is adopted, the relevant plan-making authority may adopt it—

(a) as originally prepared, or

(b) with modifications that (taken together) do not materially affect its contents.

(4) Where the person appointed to carry out the independent examination of a supplementary plan recommends that the plan is adopted with modifications, the relevant plan-making authority may adopt it—

(a) with those modifications, or

(b) with those modifications, along with further modifications if the further modifications (taken together) do not materially affect its contents.

(5) An authority must not adopt a local plan or supplementary plan unless they do so in accordance with subsection (1), (2), (3) or (4).

(6) A plan is adopted by a local planning authority, or a minerals and waste planning authority, if it is adopted by a resolution of the authority.

(7) The Mayor of London adopts a supplementary plan by publishing it, together with a statement that the plan is to have effect.

Requirement in relation to design code

15F

(1) A local planning authority must ensure that, for every part of their area, the development plan includes requirements with respect to design that relate to development, or development of a particular description, which the authority consider should be met for planning permission for the development to be granted.

(2) Subsection (1) does not require the local planning authority to ensure—

(a) that there are requirements for every description of development for every part of their area, or

(b) that there are requirements in relation to every aspect of design.

Revocation and revision of plans

15G

(1) A local plan is revoked upon a new local plan for the local planning authority’s area being adopted or approved under this Part.

(2) The Secretary of State—

(a) may revoke a local plan at the request of the local planning authority;

(b) may revoke a supplementary plan at the request of the relevant plan-making authority;

(c) may prescribe descriptions of supplementary plan which may be revoked by the relevant plan-making authority themselves.

15GA

(1) A local planning authority may, at any time after their local plan has come into effect, prepare a revision of it.

(2) If the Secretary of State directs them to do so after the local plan comes into effect, a local planning authority must prepare a revision of the local plan, in accordance with such timetable as the Secretary of State directs.

(3) Subsection (4) applies if any part of the area of the local planning authority is an area to which an enterprise zone scheme relates.

(4) As soon as practicable after the occurrence of a relevant event—

(a) the authority must consider whether their local plan should be changed in the light of the enterprise zone scheme;

(b) if they think that any changes to their local plan are required in consequence of the scheme they must prepare a revision to their local plan to give effect to the changes.

(5) The following are relevant events—

(a) the making of an order under paragraph 5 of Schedule 32 to the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 (designation of enterprise zone);

(b) the giving of notification under paragraph 11(1) of that Schedule (approval of modification of enterprise zone scheme).

(6) References to an enterprise zone and an enterprise zone scheme must be construed in accordance with that Act.

(7) This Part applies in relation to a revision under this section as it applies in relation to a local plan, subject to such modifications as may be prescribed.

Intervention powers in relation to plans

15H

(1) At any time before a proposed local plan is adopted by a local planning authority, the Secretary of State may direct the local planning authority to submit the plan (or any part of it) to the Secretary of State for approval.

(2) At any time before a proposed supplementary plan is adopted by a relevant plan-making authority, the Secretary of State may direct the relevant plan-making authority to submit the plan (or any part of it) to the Secretary of State for approval.

(3) Where the Secretary of State gives a direction under subsection (1) or (2)—

(a) the authority must not take any step in connection with the adoption of the plan until the Secretary of State gives the Secretary of State’s decision or withdraws the direction;

(b) if the direction is given, and not withdrawn, before the authority have submitted the plan for independent examination, the Secretary of State must hold an independent examination;

(c) if the direction is given after the authority have submitted the plan for independent examination but before the person appointed to carry out the examination has made recommendations, and is not withdrawn before those recommendations are made, the person must make the recommendations to the Secretary of State.

(4) Subsections (4) to (12) of section 15D, and section 15DA, apply to an examination of a local plan held under subsection (3)(b).

(5) In the case of an examination of a supplementary plan held under subsection (3)(b)—

(a) subsections (5) to (12) of section 15DB apply, and

(b) the examiner is to be a person appointed by the Secretary of State.

(6) The Secretary of State must publish the recommendations made to the Secretary of State by virtue of subsection (3)(c) and the reasons of the person making the recommendations.

(7) In relation to a plan or part of a plan submitted under subsection (1) or (2), the Secretary of State—

(a) may approve, approve subject to modifications or reject the plan or part, and

(b) must give reasons for the decision under paragraph (a).

(8) In the exercise of any function under this section the Secretary of State—

(a) may take account of any matter which the Secretary of State thinks is relevant (regardless of whether the matter was taken account of by the authority), and

(b) must have regard to the local plan timetable and minerals and waste plan timetable, so far as relevant.

15HA

(1) This section applies if the Secretary of State thinks that—

(a) a local planning authority are failing to do anything it is necessary or expedient for them to do in connection with the preparation, adoption or revision of a local plan,

(b) a local plan or supplementary plan is, is going to be or may be unsatisfactory, or

(2) The Secretary of State may—

(a) if the plan has not come into effect, take over preparation of the plan from the relevant authority;

(b) if the plan has come into effect, revise the plan;

(i) the preparation or adoption of the plan (including a direction requiring the plan to be modified in accordance with the direction);

(ii) the revocation or revision of the plan (including a direction requiring the plan to be revised in accordance with the direction or a direction revoking the plan).

(3) The Secretary of State may appoint a person (a “local plan commissioner”) to—

(a) investigate and report to the Secretary of State, or

(b) do any of the things that may be done under subsection (2), on the Secretary of State’s behalf.

(4) Subsections (5) to (10) apply if preparation of the plan is taken over under subsection (2)(a) or (3)(b).

(5) The Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the local plan commissioner must publish a document setting out—

(a) their timetable for preparing the plan, and

(b) if they intend to depart from anything specified in a local plan timetable in relation to the plan, details of how they intend to depart from it.

(6) The Secretary of State must—

(a) hold an independent examination of the plan or (as the case may be) direct the local plan commissioner to submit the plan for independent examination, or

(b) direct the relevant authority to submit the plan for independent examination under section 15D or (as the case may be) 15DB.

(7) Subsections (4) to (12) of section 15D, and section 15DA, apply to an examination of a local plan held under subsection (6)(a), reading references to the local planning authority as references to the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the local plan commissioner.

(8) In the case of an examination of a supplementary plan held under subsection (6)(a)—

(a) subsections (5) to (12) of section 15DB apply, reading references to the relevant plan-making authority as references to the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the local plan commissioner, and

(b) the examiner is to be a person appointed by the Secretary of State or the local plan commissioner.

(9) The Secretary of State must either—

(a) publish the recommendations and reasons of the person appointed to hold the examination, or

(b) give directions to the relevant authority or local plan commissioner in relation to publication of those recommendations and reasons.

(10) The Secretary of State or local plan commissioner may then—

(a) approve the plan or approve it subject to modifications,

(b) direct the relevant authority to consider adopting the plan, or

(11) Subsections (5) to (10) (and the provisions applied by them) apply in relation to a revision to a plan under subsection (2)(b) or (3)(b) as they apply to a plan prepared under subsection (2)(a) or (3)(b).

(12) In the exercise of any function under this section, the Secretary of State or local plan commissioner may take account of any matter which the Secretary of State or local plan commissioner thinks is relevant (regardless of whether the matter was taken account of by the relevant authority).

(13) The Secretary of State must give reasons for anything the Secretary of State does in pursuance of subsection (2) or (10).

(14) A local plan commissioner must give reasons for anything the commissioner does in pursuance of subsection (3)(b) or (10).

(15) In this section “relevant authority”—

(a) in relation to a local plan, means the local planning authority, or

(b) in relation to a supplementary plan, means the relevant plan-making authority.

15HB

(1) This section applies where the Secretary of State considers that a local planning authority are unlikely to comply, or have not complied, with the requirement in section 15F(1).

(2) The Secretary of State may give directions to the local planning authority as to the steps they must take to comply with that requirement, including directions as to the preparation, adoption or revision of their local plan or one or more supplementary plans.

(3) The Secretary of State must give reasons for any directions given under this section.

15HC

(1) The Secretary of State may require the relevant authority to—

(a) reimburse the Secretary of State for any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State in, or in connection with, exercising a function under any of sections 15H to 15HB, or

(b) pay any fees and expenses of a local plan commissioner appointed under section 15HA(3).

(2) Where a function under any of those sections is exercised in relation to a joint local plan or joint supplementary plan, the Secretary of State may apportion liability for such expenditure on such basis as the Secretary of State thinks just and reasonable between the authorities who are jointly preparing, or have jointly prepared, the plan.

(3) In subsection (1) “relevant authority” means—

(a) where the function is exercised, or the local plan commissioner is appointed, in relation a local plan, the local planning authority;

(b) where the function is exercised, or the local plan commissioner is appointed, in relation to a supplementary plan, the relevant plan-making authority.

15HD

Schedule A1 (default powers exercisable by Mayor of London, combined authority, combined county authority or county council) has effect.

15HE

(1) If the Secretary of State is considering whether to take action under section 15H, 15HA or 15HB or Schedule A1 in relation to a local plan or a supplementary plan, the Secretary of State may direct the local planning authority or (as the case may be) the relevant plan-making authority not to take any step, or not to take a step specified in the direction, in connection with the plan—

(a) until a time or event (if any) specified in the direction, or

(b) until the direction is withdrawn.

(2) A plan to which a direction under this section relates has no effect while the direction is in force.

(3) A direction given under this section in relation to a plan ceases to have effect if—

(a) the Secretary of State—

(i) gives a direction under section 15H, 15HA(2)(c) or (10)(b) or 15HB(2) or paragraph 8(5) of Schedule A1 in relation to the plan, or

(ii) approves the plan under section 15HA(10)(a),

(b) a local plan commissioner—

(i) gives a direction under section 15HA(3)(b), or

(ii) approves the plan under section 15HA(10)(a),

(d) a combined authority does anything under paragraph 6(4) of that Schedule, or

(e) a county council does anything under paragraph 7C(4) of that Schedule.

Joint plans

15I

(1) A joint local plan is a local plan prepared jointly by two or more local planning authorities for their combined areas.

(2) Two or more local planning authorities may agree to prepare a joint local plan (a “joint local plan agreement”).

(3) The Secretary of State may direct two or more local planning authorities to prepare a joint local plan (a “joint local plan direction”).

(4) The Secretary of State may give a joint local plan direction to a local planning authority whether or not the authority’s local plan timetable specifies that their local plan for their area is to be a joint local plan.

(5) The Secretary of State may give a joint local plan direction only if the Secretary of State considers that to do so will facilitate the more effective planning of the development and use of land in the area of one or more of the local planning authorities in question.

(6) A joint local plan direction may specify the timetable for preparation of the joint local plan.

(7) The Secretary of State must, when giving a joint local plan direction, notify the local planning authorities to which it applies of the reasons for giving it.

(8) If the Secretary of State gives a joint local plan direction, the Secretary of State may direct the local planning authorities to which it is given to amend their local plan timetables to take account of the direction.

(9) The Secretary of State may modify or withdraw a joint local plan direction by notice in writing to the authorities to which it was given.

(10) The Secretary of State must, when modifying or withdrawing a joint local plan direction, notify the local planning authorities to which it was given of the reasons for the modification or withdrawal.

15IA

(1) This section applies in a case where—

(a) a joint local plan agreement is made, or

(b) a joint local plan direction is given.

(2) This Part applies for the purposes of any step which may be, or is required to be, taken in relation to the joint local plan as it applies for the purposes of any step which may be, or is required to be, taken in relation to a local plan.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) anything which must be done by or in relation to a local planning authority in connection with a local plan must be done by or in relation to each of the relevant authorities in connection with the joint local plan.

(4) Subsections (2) and (3) are subject to such modifications of this Part, as it applies to joint local plans, as may be prescribed.

(5) If the relevant authorities include one or more authorities in relation to whose area a spatial development strategy is operative, the requirements of this Part in relation to the spatial development strategy, which apply to or in respect of local plans, apply—

(a) to or in respect of the joint local plan, and

(b) in relation to such of the area to which the joint local plan relates as the spatial development strategy is operative in relation to.

(6) In this section “the relevant authorities” are the local planning authorities who are to prepare a joint local plan in accordance with the joint local plan agreement or joint local plan direction.

15IB

(1) This section applies if—

(a) a relevant authority withdraw from a joint local plan agreement,

(b) the Secretary of State withdraws a joint local plan direction, or

(c) the Secretary of State modifies a joint local plan direction so that it ceases to apply to one or more of the relevant authorities to which it was given.

(2) Any step taken in relation to the joint local plan must be treated as a step taken by—

(a) a relevant authority for the purposes of any corresponding local plan prepared by them;

(b) two or more other relevant authorities for the purposes of any corresponding joint local plan.

(3) Any independent examination of the joint local plan must be suspended.

(4) If, before the end of the period prescribed for the purposes of this subsection, a relevant authority request the Secretary of State to do so, the Secretary of State may direct that—

(a) the examination is resumed in relation to—

(i) any corresponding local plan prepared by a relevant authority, or

(ii) any corresponding joint local plan prepared by two or more of the relevant authorities;

(b) any step taken for the purposes of the suspended examination has effect for the purposes of the resumed examination.

(5) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to what is a corresponding local plan or a corresponding joint local plan for the purposes of this section.

(6) For the purposes of this section references to the joint local plan are to the joint local plan to which the joint local plan agreement or (as the case may be) joint local plan direction related.

(7) In this section “the relevant authorities” are the local planning authorities—

(a) who were party to the joint local plan agreement immediately before the authority mentioned in subsection (1)(a) withdrew from it, or

(b) to whom the joint local plan direction applied immediately before it was withdrawn or modified by the Secretary of State.

15IC

(1) Two or more local planning authorities may agree to prepare a joint supplementary plan under section 15CC, in which case in relation to that plan references in subsection (3) of that section to the area of the local planning authority are to be read as references to the combined areas of the relevant authorities.

(2) Two or more minerals and waste planning authorities may agree to prepare a joint supplementary plan under section 15CC, in which case in relation to that plan references in subsection (5) of that section to the relevant area are to be read as references to the combined relevant areas of the relevant authorities.

(3) This Part applies for the purposes of any step which may be, or is required to be, taken in relation to the joint supplementary plan as it applies for the purposes of any step which may be, or is required to be, taken in relation to a supplementary plan.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3) anything which must be done by or in relation to a local planning authority or (as the case may be) a minerals and waste planning authority in connection with a supplementary plan must be done by or in relation to each of the relevant authorities in connection with the joint supplementary plan.

(5) Subsections (3) and (4) are subject to such modifications of this Part, as it applies to joint supplementary plans, as may be prescribed.

(6) If the relevant authorities include one or more authorities in relation to whose area a spatial development strategy is operative, the requirements of this Part in relation to the spatial development strategy, which apply to or in respect of supplementary plans, apply—

(a) to or in respect of the joint supplementary plan, and

(b) in relation to such of the area to which the joint supplementary plan relates as the spatial development strategy is operative in relation to.

(7) Subsections (8) to (10) apply if a relevant authority withdraws from an agreement mentioned in subsection (1) or (2).

(8) Any step taken in relation to the joint supplementary plan must be treated as a step taken by—

(a) a relevant authority for the purposes of any corresponding supplementary plan prepared by them;

(b) two or more other relevant authorities for the purposes of any corresponding joint supplementary plan.

(9) Any independent examination of the joint supplementary plan must be suspended.

(10) If, before the end of the period prescribed for the purposes of this subsection, any of the relevant authorities request the Secretary of State to do so, the Secretary of State may direct that—

(a) the examination is resumed in relation to—

(i) any corresponding supplementary plan prepared by any of the relevant authorities, or

(ii) any corresponding joint supplementary plan prepared by two or more of the relevant authorities;

(b) any step taken for the purposes of the suspended examination has effect for the purposes of the resumed examination.

(11) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to what is a corresponding supplementary plan or a corresponding joint supplementary plan for the purposes of this section.

(12) A joint supplementary plan is a supplementary plan prepared jointly by two or more relevant authorities in accordance with this section.

(13) In this section “the relevant authorities” means the authorities who enter into the agreement mentioned in subsection (1) or (as the case may be) (2).

Joint committees

15J

(1) This section applies if one or more local planning authorities agree with one or more county councils in relation to any area of such a council for which there is also a district council to establish a joint committee to be, for the purposes of this Part, the local planning authority—

(a) for the area specified in the agreement;

(b) in respect of such purposes as are so specified.

(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations constitute a joint committee to be the local planning authority—

(a) for the area;

(b) in respect of those purposes.

(3) Such regulations—

(a) must specify the authority or authorities and county council or councils (the “constituent authorities”) which are to constitute the joint committee;

(b) may make provision as to such other matters as the Secretary of State thinks are necessary or expedient to facilitate the exercise by the joint committee of its functions.

(4) Regulations under subsection (3)(b) may include provision—

(a) corresponding to provisions relating to joint committees in Part 6 of the Local Government Act 1972;

(b) applying (with or without modifications) such enactments relating to local authorities as the Secretary of State thinks appropriate;

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4) a local authority is any of the following—

(a) a county council;

(b) a district council;

(6) If regulations under this section are annulled in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament—

(a) with effect from the date of the resolution the joint committee ceases to be the local planning authority as mentioned in subsection (2);

(b) anything which the joint committee (as the local planning authority) was required to do for the purposes of this Part must be done for their area by each local planning authority which were a constituent authority of the joint committee;

(7) Nothing in this section or section 15JA confers on a local planning authority constituted by virtue of regulations under this section any function in relation to section 13 or 14 (survey of area).

(8) This section and section 15JA are subject to the requirement in section 15C(2) that only one local plan may have effect in relation to the area of a local planning authority (including one constituted by virtue of regulations under this section) at any one time.

(9) The policies contained in any local plan or supplementary plan adopted by the joint committee in the exercise of its functions under this Part must be taken for the purposes of the planning Acts to be the policies of each of the constituent authorities which are a local planning authority.

(10) Subsection (11) applies to any function—

(a) which is conferred on a local planning authority (within the meaning of the principal Act) under or by virtue of the planning Acts, and

(b) which relates to the authority’s local plan timetable, local plan or supplementary plan.

(11) If the authority is a constituent authority of a joint committee references to the authority’s local plan timetable, local plan or supplementary plan must be construed, in relation to that function, as including references to the timetable or plan of the joint committee.

15JA

(1) This section applies if the constituent authorities of a joint committee agree that the joint committee is to be, for the purposes of this Part, the local planning authority for any area or purpose which is not the subject of—

(a) regulations under section 15J, or

(b) an earlier agreement under this section.

(2) Each of the constituent authorities and the joint committee must revise their local plan timetable in accordance with the agreement.

(3) With effect from the date when the last such revision takes effect the joint committee is, for the purposes of this Part, the local planning authority for the area or purpose mentioned in subsection (1).

15JB

(1) This section applies if a constituent authority requests the Secretary of State to revoke regulations constituting a joint committee as the local planning authority for any area or in respect of any purpose.

(2) The Secretary of State may revoke the regulations.

(3) If the Secretary of State does so, any step taken by the joint committee in relation to a local plan timetable, local plan or supplementary plan must be treated for the purposes of any corresponding timetable or plan as a step taken by a successor authority.

(4) A successor authority is—

(a) a local planning authority which were a constituent authority of the joint committee;

(b) a joint committee constituted by regulations under section 15J for an area which does not include an area which was not part of the area of the joint committee mentioned in subsection (1).

(5) If the revocation takes effect at a time when an independent examination is being carried out in relation to a local plan or supplementary plan in relation to which the joint committee is the local planning authority the examination must be suspended.

(6) But if, before the end of the period prescribed for the purposes of this subsection, a successor authority falling within subsection (4)(a) requests the Secretary of State to do so, the Secretary of State may direct that—

(a) the examination is resumed in relation to the corresponding plan;

(b) any step taken for the purposes of the suspended examination has effect for the purposes of the resumed examination.

(7) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to what is a corresponding timetable or plan.

General

15L

(1) This section applies to any representation or objection in respect of anything which is done or is proposed to be done in pursuance of—

(a) an order or scheme under section 10, 14, 16, 18, 106(1) or (3) or 108(1) of the Highways Act 1980;

(b) an order under section 1 of the New Towns Act 1981.

(2) If the Secretary of State or a local planning authority thinks that a representation made in relation to a local plan or supplementary plan is in substance a representation or objection to which this section applies the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the authority may disregard it.

15LA

The Secretary of State may direct that the provisions of—

(a) this Part, or

(b) any particular regulations made under section 14A,

do not apply to the area of an urban development corporation or a development corporation established under the New Towns Act 1981.

15LB

(1) In the exercise of any function conferred by or under this Part a relevant plan-making authority must have regard to any guidance issued by the Secretary of State.

(2) The Secretary of State must issue guidance for local planning authorities on how their local plan and any supplementary plans (taken as a whole) should address housing needs that result from old age or disability.

15LC

(1) The Secretary of State may prescribe information within subsection (3) which each local planning authority must make available to the public.

(2) The Secretary of State may prescribe information within subsection (3) which each local planning authority must provide to the Secretary of State.

(3) Information is within this subsection if it relates to—

(a) the implementation of the local planning authority’s local plan timetable;

(b) the implementation of policies in their local plan and any supplementary plans they have prepared;

(c) the implementation of any policies which relate to the authority’s area, in any spatial development strategy that is operative in relation to their area;

(d) the extent to which specified environmental outcomes (within the meaning of Part 6 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023) are being delivered in relation to the authority’s area.

(4) The information must be in such form, and made available or provided in such manner, as may be prescribed.

15LD

(1) Each local planning authority must ensure that a map, to be known as a “policies map”, is prepared, and kept up to date, which illustrates the geographical application of the development plan for the authority’s area.

(2) The map prepared and kept up to date under subsection (1)—

(a) must be in such form, and have such content, as may be prescribed,

(b) must be revised at such times, or in such circumstances, as may be prescribed, and

15LE

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision in connection with the exercise by any person of a function conferred by or under this Part.

(2) The regulations may, in particular, include provision as to—

(a) the form and content of a joint spatial development strategy;

(b) the documents (if any) which must accompany a joint spatial development strategy;

(c) the procedure to be followed in connection with the preparation, adoption, publication, review, alteration or withdrawal of a joint spatial development strategy or in connection with any review under section 15AE(2);

(d) the procedure to be followed in the preparation, adoption, review, revision or withdrawal of local plans or supplementary plans;

(e) requirements about the giving of notice and publicity;

(f) requirements about inspection by the public of a local plan, supplementary plan or any other document;

(g) consultation with, or participation by, the public or any prescribed body or other person in connection with anything done under this Part, including provision imposing requirements for consultation or participation or as to the nature and extent of the consultation or participation that may or must take place;

(h) the making of representations about any matter to be included in a local plan or supplementary plan;

(i) consideration of any such representations;

(j) the remuneration and allowances payable to a person appointed to provide observations or advice under section 15CA(3), carry out a public or independent examination under this Part or act as a local plan commissioner under section 15HA(3);

(k) the procedure to be followed in the preparation, making, modification, revocation, replacement or publication of a neighbourhood priorities statement;

(l) the form, and content, of a neighbourhood priorities statement;

(m) the determination of the time by or at which anything must be done for the purposes of this Part;

(n) the manner of publication of any draft, report or other document published under this Part;

(o) monitoring the exercise by local planning authorities of their functions under this Part;

(p) the making of reasonable charges for the provision of copies of documents required by or under this Part.

(3) Regulations under subsection (2)(l) may provide for the form or content of a neighbourhood priorities statement to be determined by the Secretary of State.

(4) Regulations under this Part may make different provision for different areas.

15LF

(1) This section applies for the purposes of this Part.

(2) Each of the following is a local planning authority for their area—

(a) a district council;

(b) a London borough council;

(d) a county council in relation to any area in England for which there is no district council.

(3) A National Park authority is the local planning authority for the whole of its area, in place of any authority who would otherwise be a local planning authority for any part of that area under subsection (2).

(4) The Broads Authority is the local planning authority for the Broads, in place of any authority who would otherwise be a local planning authority for any part of the Broads under subsection (2).

(5) Where a relevant order provides that a development corporation is to be the local planning authority for an area for some or all purposes of this Part, the development corporation is the local planning authority for that area and those purposes in place of any authority who would otherwise be the local planning authority for that area and those purposes.

(6) In subsection (5)—

“development corporation” means an urban development corporation, a development corporation established under the New Towns Act 1981 or a Mayoral development corporation;

“relevant order”—in relation to an urban development corporation, means an order under section 149(1A) of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980;in relation to a development corporation established under the New Towns Act 1981, means an order under section 7A(2)(b) of that Act;in relation to a Mayoral development corporation, means an order under section 198(2) of the Localism Act 2011.

(7) Subsection (5) is subject to subsections (8) and (9).

(8) Subsection (9) applies where a designation order under section 13 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (power to make designation orders) provides that the Homes and Communities Agency is to be the local planning authority—

(a) for an area specified in the order, and

(b) for all purposes of this Part or any such purposes so specified.

(9) The Homes and Communities Agency is the local planning authority for the area and the purposes concerned in place of any authority who would otherwise be the local planning authority for that area and those purposes.

(10) See also section 15J under which joint committees can be constituted to be local planning authorities for the purposes of this Part.

(11) References (other than in this section) to a local planning authority’s area are to the area for which they are the local planning authority in accordance with this Part.

15LG

(1) This section has effect for the purposes of this Part.

(2) Subject to subsection (3)—

(a) a county council in England is the minerals and waste planning authority for their area,

(b) a London borough council is the minerals and waste planning authority for their area,

(d) a district council is the minerals and waste planning authority for any part of their area for which there is no county council.

(3) A National Park authority is the minerals and waste planning authority for the whole of its area, in place of any authority who would otherwise be a minerals and waste planning authority for any part of that area under subsection (2).

(4) Where a relevant order provides that a development corporation is to be the minerals and waste planning authority for an area for some or all purposes of this Part, the development corporation is the minerals and waste planning authority for that area and those purposes in place of any authority who would otherwise be the minerals and waste planning authority for that area and those purposes.

(5) In subsection (4)—

“development corporation” means an urban development corporation, a development corporation established under the New Towns Act 1981 or a Mayoral development corporation;

“relevant order”—in relation to an urban development corporation, means an order under section 149(2A) of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980;in relation to a development corporation established under the New Towns Act 1981, means an order under section 7A(6) of that Act;in relation to a Mayoral development corporation, means an order under section 198(2) of the Localism Act 2011.

(6) “Relevant area”, in relation to a minerals and waste planning authority, means the area for which the authority are the minerals and waste planning authority in accordance with this section.

15LH

(1) This section has effect for the purposes of this Part.

(2) Each of the following is a relevant plan-making authority—

(a) the Mayor of London;

(b) a local planning authority;

(3) In this Part (unless a contrary intention appears)—

“affordable housing” means—social housing within the meaning of Part 2 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008, andany other description of housing that may be prescribed;

“constituent authority”, in relation to a joint committee, must be construed in accordance with section 15J(3);

“joint local plan” must be construed in accordance with section 15I(1);

“joint local plan agreement” must be construed in accordance with section 15I(2);

“joint local plan direction” must be construed in accordance with section 15I(3);

“joint spatial development strategy” means a strategy adopted by local planning authorities under section 15AD or, as the context requires, a strategy in preparation further to an agreement under section 15A(1);

“joint supplementary plan” must be construed in accordance with section 15IC;

“local nature recovery strategy” means a local nature recovery strategy under section 104 of the Environment Act 2021;

“local plan” must be construed in accordance with section 15C;

“local plan timetable” must be construed in accordance with section 15B;

“local planning authority” must be construed in accordance with section 15LF;

“minerals and waste development” means development which is a county matter within the meaning of paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the principal Act (ignoring sub-paragraph (1)(i) of that paragraph);

“minerals and waste plan” must be construed in accordance with section 15CB;

“minerals and waste plan timetable” must be construed in accordance with section 15BB;

“minerals and waste planning authority” must be construed in accordance with section 15LG;

“neighbourhood priorities statement” must be construed in accordance with section 15K;

“relevant area” must be construed in accordance with section 15LG;

“relevant plan-making authority” must be construed in accordance with subsection (2);

“spatial development strategy” means (except in the context of more specific expressions)—the spatial development strategy for London,a spatial development strategy adopted by a combined authority established under section 103 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, ora joint spatial development strategy;

“spatial development strategy for London” means the strategy adopted by the Mayor of London under Part 8 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999;

“supplementary plan” must be construed in accordance with section 15CC.

Assistance with certain parts of development plan etc

39A

(1) Subsection (2) applies if a plan-making authority notifies a prescribed public body in writing that the authority requires the body, under this section, to assist the authority in relation to the preparation or revision of a relevant plan by the authority.

(2) The prescribed public body must do everything that the plan-making authority reasonably requires of the body to assist the authority in relation to the preparation or revision of the relevant plan.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to—

(a) what a plan-making authority must, may or may not require a prescribed public body to do under subsection (2);

(b) the procedure to be followed in doing anything under this section;

(d) the form and content of a notification under subsection (1) or of any other document or information provided under this section.

(4) A “plan-making authority” is a body which, or other person who, is to prepare or revise (whether acting alone or jointly) a relevant plan.

(5) Each of the following is a “relevant plan”—

(a) a local plan, a minerals and waste plan, a supplementary plan or policies map under Part 2;

(b) a spatial development strategy under Part 8 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 or Part 2 of this Act;

(d) a marine plan under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 for the English inshore region, the English offshore region or any part of either of those regions.

(6) A “prescribed public body” is a body which, or other person who, is prescribed or of a prescribed description and certain of whose functions are of a public nature.

(7) References in this section to the preparation or revision of a relevant plan include any activities that could reasonably be considered to prepare the way for the preparation or revision of the plan.

(8) In this section—

“the English inshore region” and “the English offshore region” have the same meaning as in the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009;

“revision”, in relation to a relevant plan, includes any alteration, amendment, replacement or other modification (and related expressions are to be read accordingly).

Meaning of “neighbourhood development plan”

In the principal Act after Schedule 4 (special provision as to land use in 1948) there is inserted the following Schedule—

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