Colindale AAP - Examination in Public
Delivering the Vision:
Following the statutory publication of the Submission Document, the Council has now submitted the Colindale Area Action Plan (AAP) to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination.
The Area Action Plan will provide a framework within which 10,000 new homes built to high environmental standards will be delivered in the area, along with a new heart for the area to provide retail, commercial and community facilities, 1000 jobs and significant public transport and highways improvements. The Council's overall aim is to create a truly sustainable and well designed new community in Colindale.
The statutory six week Regulation 27 publication period for representation(s) ended on Friday 7 August 2009 at 5pm. You can now view a summary of the representations 
(PDF:1.2MB).
What Happens Now?
The Secretary of State has appointed a Planning Inspector, Mr Douglas Machin BSc, DipTP, MRTPI, Department for Communities and Local Government, to undertake an independent examination of the plan to test its ‘soundness’ and make any changes prior to adoption. As part of this process the Inspector has organised an Examination in Public (EiP) to consider any representations made on the plan.
The Planning Inspector’s task is to consider the soundness of the AAP, based upon the Tests of Soundness. The Inspector starts from the presumption that the AAP is sound unless the evidence proves otherwise. He will define a number of issues for discussion and invite attendees to the Examination in Public.
The Public Examination Hearing of the Colindale Area Action Plan (AAP)
The public hearing for the Colindale AAP will be held on the 17th November 2009 at Hendon Town Hall. The Inspector has identified a number of issues for discussion at the hearing in his Hearings Programme (PDF:69KB).
Statements have been prepared by the Council in response to each issue in the Hearings Programme. Each statement can be downloaded below:
- Council Hearing Statement 2a (PDF:52KB) - Is the evidence base sufficiently robust and clearly stated in the document?
- Council Hearing Statement 2b (PDF:57KB) - Is the AAP founded on consideration of realistic alternatives?
- Council Hearing Statement 2c (PDF:53KB) - The justification for the wording of Policy 6.3?
- Council Hearing Statement 3a (PDF:46KB) - Are the issues and objectives the AAP seeks to meet sufficiently clear?
- Council Hearing Statement 3b (PDF:31KB) - What is the timescale for delivery?
- Council Hearing Statement 3c (PDF:41KB) - Is the delivery plan and mechanism realistic, clearly elaborated, and funded?
- Council Hearing Statement 3d (PDF:27KB) - Does the AAP contain sufficient design guidance to achieve high quality buildings and spaces, and sustainable mixed communities?
- Council Hearing Statement 3e (PDF:41KB) - Is the AAP consistent with the strategies and policies of neighbouring authorities?
- Council Hearing Statement 3f (PDF:36KB) - Are there any infrastructure constraints to delivery?
- Council Hearing Statement 3g (PDF:43KB) - Have the impacts on green infrastructure been fully assessed and addressed?
- Council Hearing Statement 3h (PDF:29KB) - Is the DPD sufficiently flexible to respond to unexpected changes in circumstances?
- Council Annex 1 (PDF:75KB) - Schedule of Infrastructure Delivery for Colindale
- Council Annex 2 (PDF:108KB) - Letters of support from GOL and LB Brent
The following statements have been submitted by representors:
- Lower Strand Residents Assoc Hearing Statement (PDF:133KB)
- Indigo Planning Hearing Statement (PDF:48KB)
- FORAB Hearing Statement (PDF:42KB)
Vijaya Ram is the appointed Programme Officer for the purposes of the examination. She is your point of contact for any matters relating to the Examination in Public. Vijaya Ram's contact details are opposite. The following EIP hearing letter (PDF:43KB) has been sent by the Programme Officer to each representor inviting them to attend the public hearing.
A pre-hearing meeting was held by the Inspector on the 8th October at 12:30pm at Hendon Town Hall. You can view the the guidance from the inspector (PDF:43KB) which explains procedural and administrative matters relating to the Examination.
The Hearing sessions will be led by the Planning Inspector and will take the form of a discussion to help the Inspector arrive at his conclusion. Both written and oral representations will carry the same weight and will be given equal regard.
Following the close of the Hearings, the Planning Inspector will prepare a short report for the Council with recommendations, including any changes required to the AAP.
The ‘Tests of Soundness’: have we got it right?
The Planning Inspector will decide whether the Colindale Area Action Plan is:
- Justified
- Effective
- Consistent with national policy
Further details of the Tests and the Examination process in general, are contained in The Planning Inspectorate’s booklet Local Development Frameworks Examining Development Plan Documents: Soundness Guidance (PDF: 163KB) (external link)
Need more information?
The full Colindale AAP Submission Document is available to download below.
Colindale AAP Submission Document (PDF 6.8MB)
The full suite of AAP documents and supporting reports can be downloaded from the Publication of Submission Document page.
Copies of the Colindale Area Action Plan Submission Document along with a summary of representations received is also available for inspection at the Council's Planning Reception at Barnet House as well as Burnt Oak Library, Hendon Library, Edgware Library and Mill Hill Library.
Useful Links
Publication of Submission Document
Issues and Options Consultation
Preferred Options Consultation
Colindale AAP Background Guidance
The Planning Inspectorate (external link)
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Email this pageLast modified by: Sean Johnson on 04/11/2009