(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.
Commencement Information
I1S. 28 in force at 6.8.2004 for specified purposes by S.I. 2004/2097, art. 2
I2S. 28 in force at 28.9.2004 for E. so far as not already in force by S.I. 2004/2202, art. 2(b)