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Advice to A556 Lobby Group Suzi Cowan

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Enquiry

From
A556 Lobby Group Suzi Cowan
Date advice given
5 April 2013
Enquiry type
Phone

Email and telephone conversation regarding the proposed A556 Knutsford to Bowdon proposal. Queries were raised regarding how to make comments on the adequacy of the applicant's consultation and also regarding submissions at examination.

Advice given

The following advice was provided:

You raised a query as to whether the Planning Inspectorate will take 'unfair consultation' into account when deciding if the application can be accepted for examination (during the acceptance stage). As discussed on the telephone, if persons are concerned about the consultation undertaken by the applicant during the pre-application stage, they should inform the local authority and the applicant of this. Local authorities have an opportunity to submit comments on the adequacy of the applicant's consultation during the acceptance stage (once the application is submitted). In addition, all correspondence received by the Planning Inspectorate before the submission of the application will be available to the decision maker during the 28 day acceptance stage.

In the telephone conversation you asked how the Examining authority will have regard to different types of submissions (for example the use of figures compared to reasoned logical arguments) during the examination of an application. I believe the Planning Inspectorate's Advice Note 8.5 answers your queries, therefore I have provided a link to this advice below:

http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Advice-note-8-5v3.pdf

For example on page 3 the advice note states the following:

'Please ensure that you post or email your written representation in good time for us to receive it by the specified deadline.

Please remember that the purpose of written representations is to provide the Examining Authority with submissions and evidence regarding issues which are important and relevant to the consideration of the application. You may provide as much or as little detail as you wish in your written representation, but a representation is more likely to carry weight with the Examining Authority if it is specific and supported by evidence.

You can also comment on representations made by others within the timescale set out in the examination timetable.'