The Core Strategy forms the overall spatial vision and development framework for Southampton looking towards 2026. This page summarises the examination stage the Core Strategy went through in 2009.
Submission
The Core Strategy was submitted to the Secretary of State in March 2009. A summary of the key issues to emerge from the recent proposed submission Core Strategy consultation were also submitted. To view a copy of the representation received at this consultation, please visit the representation web page. The Secretary of State appointed an Inspector, Nigel Payne BSc (Hons) DipTP MRTPI MCMI from the Planning Inspectorate to conduct the Examination. The Examination determined the soundness and legal compliance of the Council’s Core Strategy.
Pre Examination Meeting
The Pre Examination Meeting was held by the Inspector with the City Council and all those who made representations and wish to attend the Examination on Wednesday 27th May. The Pre Examination Meeting notes are available to view below. Further submitted statements for the Core Strategy Hearing are available to view on the further statements web page.
Examination in Public (EiP)
The EiP provided a chance for the Inspector to invite people who commented on the Core Strategy and indicated they would like to attend the EiP discussion. This helped the Inspector to reach a more informed decision on the soundness of the Core Strategy. The EiP programme is available to view below in the downloadable documents section. The EiP took place between Tuesday 7th July and Thursday 16th July 2009. The Inspector's openning statement and the council's openning statement are available to view.
During the EIP the Inspector asked the council to provide additional information over various issues and to make changes if needed:
• The council's response to the various issues and a response from RSPB over the regional habitat creation programme are available to view.
• The Major Development Quarter boundary map was amended. This excludes the operational port land which was mistakenly shown and includes the Major Development Quarter boundary extension to the north of Southampton central station.
• The council agreed with the Environment Agency suggestion to insert 2 flood risk maps into the Core Strategy to display: Southampton Flood Zones 2009 and Southampton Flood Zones 2115 with the following text beneath the flood risk maps: “Figures X and Y provide an overview at 2009. Please refer also to the Southampton SFRA2 when published (Spring 2010), and check with the Environment Agency as to whether there have been any updates”.
The core document's used in the EiP are also available to view electronically on our background evidence web page. To view the revised Sustainability Appraisal please visit the SA/SEA/AA web page.
Inspector's Report
Following the EiP, the Inspector considered the evidence given and assessed the document's soundness and legal compliance. The Inspector’s report was then produced and was binding on the Council. This means the council had a duty to accept any changes made.
Adoption
The Core Strategy was adopted in January 2010. It partially replaces the Local Plan Review and be used as a material consideration when determining planning applications. A list of the Local Plan Review policies to be replaced or partial replaced is available in the Local Development Scheme (paragraph 7.2).
Further information on the Core Strategy Examination process can be found on the Planning Inspectorate website (see links below).
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Southampton City Council
