Wealden Local Plan Inspector

An independent planning inspector has told wealden district council they have failed in their legal duty.
Wealden local plan inspector. The core strategy local plan comprises a long term spatial vision and strategic objectives for the wealden district area for the period 2013 to 2027 including the area within wealden which is in the south downs national park. In addition there are significant failings in the plan according to the inspector louise nurser who conducted the first stage of an examination of the plan last year. Following the closing of the first part of the wealden local plan examination in the summer of 2019 the local plan inspector s long awaited report has now been published on 20 12 19 and released by the council on 06 01 20. This was given great consideration by our cabinet.
All subsequent documents produced as part of the local plan will build on the objectives set out in the core strategy. Inspector finds significant failings in wealden local plan including flawed approach to ashdown forest sac following aspect ecology s involvement with the wealden local plan examination stage 1 hearing sessions in may and july last year we have been eagerly awaiting the response from the inspector to see whether this provides clarity in regard to air quality matters at ashdown forest sac. Wealden council s local plan has been thrown out by a planning inspector because it failed one of the requirements for legal compliance that of the duty to co operate. Wealden district council is disappointed by the decision of the planning inspector to find that it cannot proceed with its current draft wealden local plan.
We have taken the decision to withdraw our current plan and prepare a new one. The hearing was held at the east sussex national on 20 may 2015. The planning inspectorate has advised wealden district council that it cannot proceed with its local plan as it has failed in its legal duty to comply with the duty to cooperate. Throughout the local plan process we have always tried to find the right balance between the need for growth in housing and employment land and the need to protect our unique.
The council have been advised to withdraw the plan and start over again. Inspector louise nurser s central concern was the lack of constructive engagement with neighbouring authorities and natural england with particular regard to the impacts on habitats and landscape and unmet housing need in eastbourne.