Examination in Public for the draft New London Plan
The draft London Plan was considered by a formal Examination in Public, or EiP, led by independent inspectors appointed by the Secretary of State. This page provides details on the EiP for the draft new London Plan which opened on Tuesday 15 January 2019 and closed on 22 May 2019. Updates and news about the EiP and the subsequent stages can be found on the London Plan process news and associated London Plan Guidance.
The Panel of Inspectors
The Panel appointed by the Secretary of State to conduct the EIP of the draft London Plan comprises Roisin Barrett, William Fieldhouse and David Smith. All three are Planning Inspectors and independent of the Mayor and Greater London Authority (“GLA”).
The role of the Panel is to determine the matters that affect the consideration of the London Plan (“matters”) and the persons who may take part in the EIP (“participants”), and to make a report in writing to the Mayor (as specified in the Town and Country Planning (London Spatial Development Strategy) Regulations 2000)
The Panel’s written report will set out its findings in relation to the EIP matters and may include recommendations relating to the content of the draft London Plan published in December 2017 or associated matters. The Panel will take account of the written statements, the discussions at the EIP, and any changes to the draft Plan suggested by the Mayor. However, the report will not respond to all representations made about the draft Plan.
The EiP Secretariat
The EiP Secretary was Carmel Edwards and EiP Assistant was Jinder Ubhi. Now that the EiP hearings stage has come to a close the EiP Secretariat is no longer in operation. Any queries regarding the EiP should be directed to the London Plan team at the GLA: [email protected]
Contacting the EiP Secretariat
The EiP Secretary was Carmel Edwards and EiP Assistant was Jinder Ubhi. Now that the EiP hearings stage has come to a close the EiP Secretariat is no longer in operation. Any queries regarding the EiP should be directed to the London Plan team at the GLA: [email protected]
The EiP library
You can view the EiP Library including the draft new London Plan showing Minor Suggested Changes.
This page will be updated during the course of the EiP process.
The Panel produced their EiP Hearings Programme, which superseded the Provisional timetable issued in September. The programme has now been updated to reflect changes in week 11 and 12. See the programme.
Technical Seminars
The Technical Seminars took place on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 November, starting at 10am, at City Hall. The Technical Seminars were aimed at at those who intend to submit written statements and/or participate at the EiP.
Agendas and presentations are available below:
Tuesday 6 November
- Agenda
- Economic Projections
- Demographics
- Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA)
- Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)
Wednesday 7 November
The Technical Seminars were streamed live; you can watch them on demand.
The Examination in Public
Copies of all representations about the London Plan were submitted to the panel on 16 July 2018 along with a summary of the main issues raised. The Panel had regard to these and consulted with the Mayor before preparing a draft list of matters and participants that was published for consultation on Wednesday 12 September, not later than 12 weeks before the opening of the EIP. The Panel considered all representations about the draft list of matters and participants made within 28 days, and consulted the Mayor, before finalising the list of matters and participants. The final list was published on Tuesday 13 November 2018. The EiP commenced on Tuesday 15 January 2019 and the final session was held on Wednesday 22 May 2019.
Written statements were invited on the matters to be examined both by those invited to participate in the EiP and others. Further details about submitting written submissions can be found in Panel Note 5 Procedural Information about the EiP. The deadlines were as follows:
- Friday 7 December 2018 for weeks 1 and 2
- Friday 14 December 2018 for weeks 3 and 4
- Friday 11 January 2019 for weeks 5 and 6
- Tuesday 29 January 2019 for week 7 and 8
- Friday 1 March 2019 for weeks 9, 10 and 11
No written material submitted after the deadlines, including at the EiP sessions, will normally be accepted unless this has been specifically requested by the Panel. You can see the written statements aspart of the EiP Library.
All EIP sessions were open to the public to observe and were held in City Hall. They took the form of structured discussions led by one or more of the Panel members relating to the defined matters. All participants were expected to have read all the relevant statements and evidence. The Panel adopted an inquisitorial approach, exploring each matter thoroughly. All participants had the opportunity to speak, but were encouraged to focus on the agenda set by the Panel.
The EiP sessions were audio recorded and can be found here. A selection were live streamed. A list of live streamed sessions can be found here and can be viewed here on the day.
The Panel's Report
The Panel’s written report will set out its findings in relation to the EIP matters and may include recommendations relating to the content of the draft London Plan published in December 2017 or associated matters. The Panel will take account of the written statements, the discussions at the EIP, and any changes to the draft Plan suggested by the Mayor. However, the report will not respond to all representations made about the draft Plan.
The Mayor may not publish the London Plan until after he has received the Panel report. The London Plan to be published by the Mayor may be in the form of the December 2017 draft or as modified to take account of the representations made about it, any direction by the Secretary of State, the Panel report, or any other material considerations. If the Mayor proposes not to accept any recommendation contained in the Panel report he must publish and send to the Secretary of State a statement of his reasons.
Draft London Plan - Progress
- Fact Check of Report – Sept 19
- Mayor receives official Panel Report - 8 October 2019
- Intend to Publish version of the Plan to Secretary of State – 9 December 2019
- London Assembly Plenary – 6 February 2020
- Letter with the Anticipated response received from the Secretary of State - 14 February 2020
- Response from Secretary of State and Directions received - 13 March 2020
- Response from the Mayor to the Secretary of State – 24 April 2020
- Informally agree text of new London Plan with MHCLG and Secretary of State – current stage
- Mayoral Decision to publish the final London Plan
- Secretary of State to confirm the Mayor has complied with the Directions
- Mayor to publish final London Plan (including Statutory Notifications) - working towards Summer 2020
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