Part 2Local development

Documents

I128Joint local development documents

1

Two or more local planning authorities may agree to prepare one or more joint local development documents.

2

This Part applies for the purposes of any step which may be or is required to be taken in relation to a joint local development document as it applies for the purposes of any step which may be or is required to be taken in relation to a local development document.

3

For the purposes of subsection (2) anything which must be done by or in relation to a local planning authority in connection with a local development document must be done by or in relation to each of the authorities mentioned in subsection (1) in connection with a joint local development document.

4

Any requirement of this Part in relation to the RSS is a requirement in relation to the RSS for the region in which each authority mentioned in subsection (1) is situated.

5

If the authorities mentioned in subsection (1) include one or more London boroughs the requirements of this Part in relation to the spatial development strategy also apply.

6

Subsections (7) to (9) apply if a local planning authority withdraw from an agreement mentioned in subsection (1).

7

Any step taken in relation to the document must be treated as a step taken by—

a

an authority which were a party to the agreement for the purposes of any corresponding document prepared by them;

b

two or more other authorities who were parties to the agreement for the purposes of any corresponding joint local development document.

8

Any independent examination of a local development document to which the agreement relates must be suspended.

9

If before the end of the period prescribed for the purposes of this subsection an authority which were a party to the agreement request the Secretary of State to do so he may direct that—

a

the examination is resumed in relation to the corresponding document;

b

any step taken for the purposes of the suspended examination has effect for the purposes of the resumed examination.

10

A joint local development document is a local development document prepared jointly by two or more local planning authorities.

11

The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to what is a corresponding document.