Preparation Stages

The main stages in the preparation of a development plan are normally:

• The preparation of one or more issues documents - these usually outline what the local authority believes are the main issues that the new plan should deal with;
  
• Consultation Draft - this will be the first draft of the new plan that the public will be able to see and comment on;
  
• First Deposit Draft - this will be the version of the plan that the authority is required to advertise and invite representations upon (structure plans are normally deposited only once);
  
• Second Deposit Draft - if the authority decides to change the plan to accommodate representations made to the first draft, it may do so by publishing a Second Deposit Draft;
  
• Inquiry Stage - an Inspector or panel appointed by the first Secretary of State (Communities and Local Government) will consider objections to the First or Second Deposit Plans;
  
• Modifications Stage - once the local authority has received the Inspector's report, it will have to decide whether to modify the deposit plan in the light of the Inspector's recommendations;
  
• Adoption Stage - once the local authority is satisfied with the deposit plan it can be adopted. Once adopted it becomes part of the statutory development plan for the area.