An independent examiner, Christopher Collison BA (Hons) MBA MRTPI MIED IHBC, has been appointed to examine the Sandbanks Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan.

As part of the examination of the plan, the examiner must consider whether the plan meets basic conditions and satisfies legal requirements. The plan must:

• have regard to national planning policies and guidance
• contribute to achieving sustainable development
• be in general conformity with the strategic policies of the development plan
• be compatible with European Union law and human rights obligations, and
• not breach the requirements of Chapter 8 of Part 6 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017

The examiner will provide a review of the plan and make recommendations in accordance with the 2011 Localism Act and related regulations.

The examiner wrote their initial procedural letter to us and the Sandbanks Neighbourhood Forum on 25 October 2023. The Sandbanks Neighbourhood Forum provided its own response to the examiner on 8 November on all duly made representations received to the submitted plan. The examiner wrote a further letter to us and the Sandbanks Neighbourhood Forum on 16 November requesting a joint response is prepared and submitted to him. We sent a joint response on the matters of clarification to the examiner on 27 November. The examiner wrote a third letter to us on 1 December seeking clarification and inviting comments. We sent a further joint response on 8 December.

Examiner’s report - December 2023

Mr Christopher Collison BA (Hons) MBA MRTPI MIED IHBC, issued his examination report on the submitted Sandbanks Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan on 15 December 2023. The scope of the examination is set out in paragraph 8(1) of Schedule 4B to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) (‘the 1990 Act’).

The examiner has concluded that subject to specified modifications set out in his report, the plan meets basic conditions and other requirements.

He has also concluded that the plan has been prepared and submitted for examination by a qualifying body and has been prepared for an area properly designated, specifies the plan period runs until 2033, and that the policies relate to the development and use of land for the designated neighbourhood area.

The examiner has recommended that the plan, once modified, can proceed to a local referendum, based on the plan area