In the report developers Jones Homes, Redrow Homes, Royal London Asset Management and landowner the Tatton Estate expressed 'serious and substantial' concerns over the process of plan preparation. These concerns relate to the duty to co-operate, especially with regard to green belt, housing and highway infrastructure issues; the omission of an alternative in the Strategic Environmental Assessment which would deliver over 1600 houses per annum, and the use of an employment growth rate of 0.4% which is below available evidence.
Inspector Stephen J Pratt announced on Friday that he intends to defer the hearing sessions that were due to take place during the weeks of 7, 21 and 28 October in order to review the information submitted by developers.
The inquiry commenced on Tuesday 16 September and was set to continue until the end of October. The inspector was appointed to conduct examination of the local plan to determine whether the Local Plan Strategy is sound and can be adopted by the council.
As a result of the adjournment, the examination is planned to recommence at the end of November and the council hope to have the inquiry completed by Christmas.
