Stage 4: Publication Draft (Regulation 19)

Have your say. Be part of the plan

The progression of the North Lincolnshire Local Plan has now reached its fourth stage in plan preparation. This stage is known as the Publication version (Regulation 19), and it is the last opportunity to have your say on how North Lincolnshire grows from now to 2038.

Once agreed (formally adopted) it will replace the current North Lincolnshire Local Plan Adopted 2003, the Core Strategy and Housing and Employment Land Allocations Development Plan Documents (DPD), and the Lincolnshire Lakes Area Action Plan (AAP).

The Regulation 19 consultation on the North Lincolnshire Local Plan Review (Reg 19) Publication Document begins at 9am on 15 October 2021 and closes at 5pm on 3 December 2021.

We have prepared a Publication Version that builds on earlier consultation undertaken at Stage 1 (2017) and Stage 2 (2018) and Stage 3 (2020).

This consultation is the final stage before the Plan is submitted to a Government Planning Inspector for independent examination. It is different from previous ones as it no longer seeks views on alternative options.

What does 'Regulation 19' mean?

Regulation 19 is part of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. It says that, before submitting a draft Local Plan to the Government's Planning Inspectorate for independent examination, the Council must publish a draft of the Local Plan and formally invite comments (known as representations) on it. This version of the Local Plan is known as the Publication Plan.

The Regulations make clear that the Council must inform and invite representations/comments, not just from consultation bodies like the Environment Agency, Natural England and Historic England, but also from residents and businesses in the area covered by the Local Plan. The Regulation 19 consultation no longer seeks views on alternative options, but instead presents the opportunity to comment on the content of the Local Plan, within a specific remit. The focus/sole purpose for this consultation relates to receiving representations on:

• Legal Compliance – does the plan meet the legal requirements made under various statutes?
• Soundness – has the plan been positively prepared, justified, effective, and consistent with national policy?
• Meets the Duty to Cooperate – has the Council engaged and worked effectively with neighbouring authorities and statutory bodies?

Taking part

Comments can be made via our online representation form. More information on how to comment can be found in the Guidance Note document and Frequently Asked Questions including important information relating to what to consider when making your comments in terms of Legal Compliance, Soundness and Duty to Co-operate and important GDPR information about how we will use your personal information.

There are various documents associated with this consultation event including the Evidence Base which can be viewed on the Local Plan website.

The Publication Draft document is supported by two important assessments that must be published alongside it – Publication Draft – Sustainability Appraisal and Publication Draft – Habitat Regulations Assessment.

Local Plan Consultation Roadshows 2021

A number of roadshows are to be held across North Lincolnshire to allow local people and others to see the Plan and speak to officers that have worked on it. Give us your views about the future growth and development of the area as well as the issues the Plan should cover.

COVID-19 We ask that people visiting the events wear a face covering, use the hand sanitiser provided, and keep their distance from others.

Dates and times of the events are as follows:

What Happens Next?

Following consideration of your feedback and any amendments that are required, we will submit the Local Plan to the Government for approval. A planning inspector will be appointed to consider the Plan and comments from the consultation on behalf of the Secretary of State.

If you wish to take part in the hearing session(s) you must outline why you think this is necessary, in your representations at this time. The Inspector will decide the most appropriate procedure to hear from members of the public who would like to participate in hearing(s). This may be in writing, or they may invite you to attend and speak at the hearing sessions.

It is vital that you express your wish to engage in the examination at this stage. Not doing so may mean that you do not have the ability to write to or speak at the hearings. You can always change your mind later but without indicating a potential wish now, there is no way for the Inspector, or their Programme Officer, to know to contact you.